How to Protect Nesting Birds During Tree Inspections
Thinking about tree work but worried about disrupting nesting birds? You’re right to be concerned! Nesting season is crucial for our feathered friends, and disturbing a nest can have devastating consequences.
At First Arb Tree Surgeons, we understand this responsibility. That’s why we prioritise responsible tree care from the very beginning. Our commitment starts with meticulous pre-work inspections, ensuring the safety of nesting birds while effectively addressing your tree care needs.
Why Pre-Work Inspections Matter
Before any saws are lifted or branches are trimmed, First Arb conducts thorough pre-work inspections of your trees. But why are these inspections so crucial?
Protecting Vulnerable Nests
Active nests are surprisingly well-hidden and often difficult for untrained eyes to spot. These intricate structures house eggs or chicks that are incredibly vulnerable to disturbance. A pre-work inspection ensures we identify any active nests before work begins, allowing us to adjust our approach to minimise disruption.
Avoiding Devastating Consequences
Disturbing a nest during nesting season can have heartbreaking consequences. Exposed eggs and chicks are highly susceptible to predation by birds of prey, squirrels, and even domestic cats. The disruption stress can also cause parent birds to abandon the nest, leading to chick mortality.
By prioritising pre-work inspections, we can prevent these outcomes and ensure the safety of nesting birds while still addressing your tree care needs.
First Arb’s Multi-Layered Inspection Process
At First Arb, we take a multi-layered approach to our pre-work inspections, ensuring a meticulous examination of your trees and detecting even the most cleverly concealed nests.
The Trained Eye
Our staff have certified arborists with a keen eye for identifying signs of nesting activity. Years of experience have honed their ability to spot even the subtlest clues, including:
- Nesting Materials: Our arborists are familiar with the variety of materials birds use to construct their nests. This allows them to identify telltale signs like twigs, leaves, feathers, or scraps of human-made materials woven into the branches.
- Bird Behaviour: Attentive observation plays a crucial role in our inspections. Our arborists are trained to recognise bird behaviour indicative of nesting activity, such as frequent trips to and from a specific location in the tree, carrying food or nesting materials, or agitated calls aimed at perceived threats.
- Vocalisations: Many bird species have distinct vocalisations associated with nesting. Our arborists can recognise these calls, helping them pinpoint potential nesting locations, especially for species that favor more concealed nesting sites.
Technological Assistance
While a trained eye is essential, we also leverage specialised tools to ensure a comprehensive inspection. This may include:
- High-Powered Binoculars: These binoculars provide magnified views of hard-to-reach areas, allowing our arborists to examine the finer details of branches and foliage for any signs of nests or nesting activity.
- Telescopic Cameras: In some situations, telescopic cameras offer a closer look at potentially active nests, particularly in high branches or dense foliage. This technology allows for detailed examination without disturbing the birds.
Consulting the Experts
In particularly complex situations, or when dealing with protected bird species, First Arb goes the extra mile by collaborating with qualified wildlife experts. These specialists bring knowledge about specific bird species and their nesting habits. This allows us to:
- Gain Species-Specific Insights – Wildlife experts can provide in-depth information about the nesting preferences, behaviour patterns, and legal considerations surrounding specific bird species on your property.
- Develop the Safest Course of Action: By working together with wildlife experts, we can create a customised plan for addressing your tree care needs while ensuring the safety and well-being of any nesting birds. This might involve scheduling work outside peak nesting periods, establishing safe buffer zones around active nests, or implementing alternative work methods to minimise disruption.
Through this multi-layered approach, First Arb prioritises thoroughness and responsible tree care. We ensure the safety of nesting birds while still providing you with the expert tree services you deserve.
Transparency and Communication
First Arb believes clear communication is paramount. Following our meticulous pre-work inspection, we’ll promptly inform you of any identified nesting activity. This transparency allows you to understand the situation and feel confident in our plan to address your tree care needs while minimising disruption to nesting birds.
We’ll discuss the specific details of the nest, including the bird species (if identifiable) and the stage of nesting activity. Our arborists will then explain the proposed approach for addressing your tree work needs. This might involve:
- Scheduling Adjustments – Whenever possible, we’ll work with you to adjust the tree work schedule to avoid peak nesting times for the identified bird species.
- Safe Work Practices – If work needs to proceed during nesting season, we’ll outline the specific safe work practices we’ll employ to minimise disturbance. This could involve hand pruning near nests, establishing exclusion zones, or utilising alternative work methods.
We encourage you to ask any questions you may have, and our arborists are happy to provide further details on the nesting activity and our proposed approach. We aim to ensure complete transparency throughout the process, giving you peace of mind that your trees and the local bird population are in good hands.
The First Arb Difference: Responsible Tree Care Every Time
At First Arb Tree Surgeons, our commitment to eco-friendly practices and responsible tree care is unwavering. Our meticulous pre-work inspections, featuring a trained eye, technological assistance, and collaboration with wildlife experts when necessary, ensure the safety of nesting birds while effectively addressing your tree care needs.
Don’t let concerns about nesting season delay your essential tree work. Contact First Arb today! Experience the difference between a thorough pre-work inspection process and a team dedicated to responsible tree care. Together, we can keep your trees healthy and vibrant while ensuring the well-being of our feathered friends.