I have a pair of red kites nesting in one of my trees. Unfortunately right next to the tree with the nest is another tree, of equal height, which is dangerous and requires felling. I am wondering how disturbed the red kites will be by a day of chainsawing next to their nest. Obviously waiting until their chicks have hatched and fledged is optimum, but I don't know when that will be and I don't know whether I can wait that long to fell the tree. Any advice appreciated.
Any top protected birds can be disturbed under safety and health. For example a tree is about to fall on to a house, railway lines roads etc. If there’s no other way that is allowed. Unless you have more information that would be helpful.
Regards,
Ian.
The tree is in my garden, over an area in regular use, as is the tree with the kite nest. I doubt the dangerous tree will fall imminently, but it needs to be done this summer. So question is really whether felling a tree next to a kite's nest will disturb them much (e.g. pigeons seem not to be distrubed by anything) and how long after laying egg (which happened about two weeks ago - judging be when a kite was permanently on nest) the chicks will fledge as I need to book tree felling well in advance.
Incubation is 28 - 30 days - first flight is about 50days and they will return to the nest for a couple of weeks. I think that means you could look at taking the tree down late July's if my maths is right-
Cin J