An animal lover says she was left “shaken” and “heartbroken” after watching workers cut down trees in her garden where baby pigeons were believed to be nesting.
Sarah Killick claimed her pleas to stop the felling outside her rented home in Harvel Street, Meopham, were ignored and the live chicks were later found in nearby woodland after their nest came crashing to the ground.
The incident happened on Wednesday, July 23 and police have confirmed they are investigating.
The 51-year-old said she told the tree surgeons from Day Tree Fellers, a Coxheath firm instructed by her landlord to carry out the works, that there were baby birds in the conifer trees.
“I said to the man in charge that I could hear them in the nest,” she told KentOnline.
“He told me there weren’t any.”
The tenant went upstairs and from her bathroom window watched as a branch fell with what she claimed was a nest in it.
“I ran outside and found a live chick in the nest,” Sarah added.
“I was shaken, I begged them to stop [the felling], but they refused.”
Sarah later found two more chicks which were both dead and another one, which was still alive.
The foster parent took one of the birds to Folly Wildlife Rescue centre in Tunbridge Wells, where it survived.
She gave the second live chick to Ish Newcombe in Gravesend, who rescues pigeons.
“It was one of the most upsetting days of my life. I love animals and I felt helpless,” Sarah said.
“I had to put my granddaughter in the car in her pyjamas and drive to Tunbridge Wells because they told me the bird would die if I waited.”
Sarah said the workers phoned her landlord during the job and that he told her he had to go ahead with the work because the council had ordered it.
It is against the law to destroy or damage the nest of a wild bird while it is in use.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds and their nests, including pigeons.
Police say officers from their rural task force are investigating a report that trees containing nesting birds were cut down.
“A Rural Task Force officer has been in contact with the person who made the report and enquiries are underway,” a a spokesperson said.
Gravesham council confirmed one of its enforcement officers met with a landowner last month to discuss work needed to trees bordering Harvel Street.
It said the owner confirmed they would be instructing a tree surgeon to carry out that work and advice was given as to their responsibilities.
“On July 23 we received a call from the landowner during which a local resident’s concerns about birds nesting in the trees were discussed,” a spokesperson added.
“The landowner was informed that it was their responsibility to carry out all due diligence before work on the trees started, and that if nesting birds were found, work should be delayed until after the nesting season had come to a close.
“Where we require landowners to carry out work on hedges or trees, we are clear that the requirements of Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 need to be met.
“Under the Act, it is an offence to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built, or to intentionally kill, injure or take chicks or adults, or intentionally take or destroy any eggs.”
Works can take place to trees and hedgerows during bird nesting season as long as a thorough inspection has taken place on the site by a tree surgeon or other responsible party to ensure that any nesting birds or other wildlife are not being disturbed.
But Sarah is convinced these rules were not followed.
“They just kept cutting. No one listened,” she said. “There were parent birds flying around in panic. It was awful. I found dead birds thrown in the woods. I was heartbroken.”
Ms Newcombe, who is now caring for one of the rescued chicks, said Sarah was very upset when she brought her the bird and explained what had happened, including showing her photos from the scene.
They just kept cutting. No one listened
Charlotte McLoughlin, from Folly Wildlife Centre, confirmed Sarah first called to ask for advice.
She was told that disturbing nests with eggs or chicks is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, but since the nest had already been damaged, she was advised to bring the chick in.
Charlotte said the chick, believed to be a baby wood pigeon, weighed 126g and had no visible injuries, but was still a nestling and the nest which it came in was still intact.
Its crop was full, she added, indicating a parent had recently fed it.
Day Tree Fellers, which holds a 9.8 out of 10 rating on Checkatrade based on 416 reviews, was approached for comment.
But when KentOnline managed to speak to an employee, they said: “What’s the point? The press never listens anyway. They just think they know better and are only looking for drama.”
They then hung up.
Several approaches for comment were also made to the landlord who did not respond at the time of publication.
