Two construction workers charged with animal cruelty for allegedly knocking down a tree full of nesting birds in Newport Beach delayed their first court appearance Friday.
Stephen John Esser, 47, of Dana Point and David Roger Stanley, 40, of Downey each face up to a year and a half in jail for allegedly destroying eight or nine nests while doing demolition work, according to the Orange County district attorney's office.
Officials say the tree was home to migratory and protected birds, such as the snowy egret and black-crowned night heron.
Esser and Stanley were scheduled to be arraigned Friday morning, but neither appeared in court.