Nesting parakeet halts tree work in cemetery

Plans to carry out work on a dead tree in a cemetery have been postponed after a nesting parakeet was found to have taken up residence in it.

East Suffolk Council said workers found the green-feathered bird while carrying out work on the elm in Lowestoft Cemetery.

Concerns had been raised by some on social media that the tree was being taken down.

The council said the tree would not be removed and work would only resume when the birds had left. "The main stem of standing deadwood will be retained for habitat value," a spokesperson said.

"It is our standard practice to check trees prior to works being carried out in nesting season.

"Works are scheduled to the decaying tree to reduce most of the crown to reduce the risk it poses to the public as the tree is adjacent to the cemetery service road."

The council said that the standing deadwood would be monitored in the future "to ensure it does not pose a risk to public safety."

Wendy Hammond from Lowestoft asked the council to issue a tree preservation order to protect the elm, however the authority said such orders did not apply to dead trees.

"My main concern was to protect the parakeet's home," said Hammond.

"Long-term is something to be sorted out and I will ask the appropriate authorities if they have any plans to solve the problem of where the parakeet will go."

The council spokesperson said: "Works will resume once the nesting birds have left and they will not be disturbed during this time.

"Birds receive legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, and they cannot be moved while they are nesting."

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