Tree surgeons at last able to lop overhanging branches in Pier Gardens after birds vacate nest site

The nesting woodpigeons have since flown, so contractors were today able to lop the overhanging branches

WORK to  lop a tree in Pier Gardens was delayed  for nine months - to safeguard a pair of Woodpigeons that were nesting on one of the branches.

The tree, which is  is adjacent to Elle's coffee shop on the edge of Central Promenade, was earmarked for surgery last May because fallen leaves and saps were said to be making making the footpath below slippery.

But the project was put on hold by North East Lincolnshire Council after the 'woodies' were found to be nesting.

Further checks were carried out during the rest of summer right up to the end of September when nesting activity - possibly a second brood - was still evident.

However, there has been no sign of the Woodpigeons this month, so the branch surgery duly took place this morning - simultaneously providing an entertaining spectacle for Elle's customers.

The contract was awarded to Grimsby-based Acer Tree Care a firm known to honour its responsibility to ensure the welfare of nesting birds.

A spokesperson for NELC commented: "We can’t speculate as to how many young (if any) were hatched over the course of the nesting season. 

"The nest is no longer active."                                                             

Such beautiful birds - woodpigeons strike a Valentine's Day pose 

                                                                           

For customers at Elle's, there was a front-seat  view of this morning's action

The Grimsby News says: How touching of NELC and Acer Tree Care to show such kindness in ensuring the wellbeing of the pigeons. But there is an irony here. It was only last month that NELC granted consent for two other trees in Cleethorpes to be similarly lopped  because they were providing a roosting place for . . . woodpigeons! Such is the quirky inconsistency of the British way of doing things!