Tree Protection Zones

A murmuration of starlings hover head west towards the floodlights of the Stourton Park and Ride site. The starlings fly over stumps of an apple tree cut down in full-bloom in the field adjacent to the construction site. What was once an avenue of trees has been replaced by cold-steel fencing. Signs affixed to the steel-fencing announce that this area is now a “tree protection zone”.

Squirrels dart around the Belle Isle Foundation centre alongside, wood pigeons and collared doves. A coal tit bobs up and down on the bridge over the M1 motorway, unperturbed by the traffic. Seagulls fly over Midland Road towards an empty playing field.