Galesburg Parks and Recreation has responded to a reader question about whether red-shouldered hawks nested in trees removed during recent maintenance work at Standish Park.
Reader Question:
I wanted to let people know that the trees cut were nesting sites of red-shouldered hawks. The hawks have never returned. There are Cooper’s hawks that nest there as well. Did the DNR approve this?
City Response (Don Miles, Director of Parks and Recreation):
The hawks mentioned are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Hawks lay eggs from March through May and may build or reuse a nest from year to year. If a nest had been discovered, the proper protocols would have been followed, but no evidence of nests was found in any of the trees that were removed.
The tree trimming and removal project addressed significant deferred maintenance and safety hazards identified by a consultant’s assessment. The work aimed to restore the park’s arboretum health and improve public access by removing dead, damaged, or overgrown trees.
The needed work has been discussed with the City’s Tree Commission and evaluated and implemented by the City’s arborist.
A recent assessment found that out of 106 trees in the park, approximately 30 are dead or in poor condition and will be removed, along with excess shrubs and vegetation. The arborist continues to assess as work progresses, so preliminary numbers may vary slightly.
The City noted performing this work during winter dormancy is ideal for tree health and ensures the arboretum is primed for a vibrant spring.
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