With the arrival of February comes the start of bird nesting season, and for gardeners looking to tidy up their landscapes, this brings both opportunity and legal responsibility.
Not adhering to certain guidelines could lead to significant fines or worse. If you have landscaping tasks planned for your garden, it’s important to understand the potential legal risks of working during nesting season.
According to Andy McLaughlin, Landscaping Specialist at RF Paving, March 1 marks the beginning of a period that every gardener should be mindful of.
From this date until August 31, bird nests are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the European Commission Habitats Directive.
Andy explained: “Birds are very specific when choosing where to nest. They mainly take cover in foliage away from predators in a safe location. These spaces are protected by law annually from March 1 to August 31.”
Any interference with a nest during this time could result in an unlimited fine or even imprisonment.
For gardeners planning to make changes to their outdoor spaces, Andy advises completing tasks that might affect birds’ nests before the key date.
The expert highlighted: “The most common nesting places are trees, hedges, and hedgerows, but long grass is often overlooked as a nesting site.
“Therefore, if this task must be tackled, make sure it’s before nesting season.”
Trimming hedges or cutting back overgrown grass can easily disturb nesting birds if done too late, so planning ahead is crucial.
Plus, large-scale landscaping projects requiring the removal or relocation of bushes or trees should be completed before the end of February.
“If you are undertaking a large-scale landscaping project and need to remove or relocate bushes, plan ahead,” Andy advised.
Trimming existing plants may seem harmless but should also be scheduled before March 1 to avoid legal consequences.
Lastly, while some landscaping work cannot be avoided, Andy suggested alternatives to ensure minimal disruption to the natural environment.
Andy said: “Pre-planning any work that could disturb the natural nesting environment and carrying out any invasive work before March 1 is the best way to avoid delays and unnecessary costs.”
He also recommended using manual tools over larger machinery to minimise risk, stating: “The best thing when working around these areas is taking care and using alternative tools other than large machinery.”
By following these expert tips, gardeners can ensure their projects are completed legally, safely, and in harmony with local wildlife.
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