Geraldton wildlife carer praises bird-safe Norfolk Pine tree cull

A Geraldton wildlife carer has praised the council and their contractor for protecting local birds when cutting down trees.

Concern was raised online when the City of Greater Geraldton announced it would chop down seven Norfolk pine trees across the city this week, with locals saying they had seen hobby falcons nesting in the trees on Fitzgerald Street in Beachlands.

• Geraldton’s Norfolk “pines” in line for the chop, City says dead trees pose risk
• Permanent support for iconic cyclone-damaged Geraldton tree
• Corellas ‘lay into nature’ as culling continues

Just Raptors injured bird-of-prey rehabilitator Janelle Ende said she contacted the council as the work was being carried out during the falcon’s breeding season, but was happy to find the council and Aussie Tree Services already had measures in place to identify, remove and relocate nests, eggs and chicks.

“This is brilliant, they don’t just go in and knock a tree down,” she said.

“If chicks are found in a nest Aussie Tree Services already knew to contact us at the rescue.

“Western Power are very good with these things too, it’s great to see these companies have these procedures in place.”

She said she promptly received phone calls and messages from both CGG and Aussie Tree Services explaining their procedures and addressing her concerns.

“I appreciate the time they took to get back to me,” she said.

“They weren’t aware the nest was there before I contacted them, but I’m confident if I hadn’t they still would have followed the right procedure.”

The City announced it would have the Norfolk Pines removed as they were dead and posed a risk to their surroundings.