Woodpecker on steel

Hello everyone, greetings from our little Essex garden.

We've had a few woodpeckers visiting over the past few years.

Due to rodent problems, we've fitted stainless steel collars (about 2 feet tall) around a couple of our trees.

This technique is used on coconut trees so crabs & rats can't climb.

For the past week, a small male woodpecker is pecking the base of the steel plate, possibly to get the bugs underneath.

Is there a risk to his beak? Shall I remove the steel collars?

In advance, many thanks for everyone's time.

Best regards,

Manny, Basildon, Essex