DENVER (KDVR) — Neighbors of Russel Square Park in Denver are asking questions after residents claim city crews cut down a tree with a red-tailed hawk’s nest in it.
Denver Parks and Recreation denies there was a hawk’s nest in the tree, but residents say they’ve seen several 50- to 100-year-old trees chopped down in the last few years, and they’re worried about the future of their neighborhood park losing shade, and the birds that call the area home.
Neighbors of Russell Square Park said last week that Denver Parks and Recreation crews showed up to cut down a tree with a nest sitting on top. Observers claim it was home to a pair of red-tailed hawks that are constantly flying around the neighborhood.
“This is a 100-year mistake when you cut down a tree,” said Thomas Ferguson, who lives next to Russell Square Park. “No matter what, you can’t get these back.”
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A spokesperson for Denver Parks and Recreation said there was an empty nest in the tree, but that there was no bird activity. Denver’s wildlife experts said it was a magpie nest, not a hawk’s nest. Additionally, Parks and Recreation said the tree that came down was more than 50% dead and infested with Ips beetle.
But some avid bird-watchers aren’t convinced of the city’s explanation…