During Bird Nesting Season, specific rules affect what arboricultural work can be carried out. This article looks at common questions we are asked and reveals the truth about a common Bird Nesting Season myth.
What is bird Nesting Season?
Bird Nesting Season is the time of year when birds, and other wildlife with woodland habitats, build nests and lay eggs or raise their young.
When is Bird Nesting Season?
According to Natural England, Bird Nesting Season covers February to August, although it is not a legally defined period.
Relevant laws and penalties
Several pieces of legislation govern tree works during Bird Nesting Season. These are:
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Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
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European Habitats Directive
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Nesting Birds Directive.
If you are found guilty of offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, you could face an unlimited fine, up to 6 months imprisonment or both!
Is it illegal to carry out tree works and hedge cutting during Bird Nesting Season?
This is a common myth. In fact, whilst it is not recommended to carry out tree works or hedge cutting, it is not illegal.
However, wild birds and their nests and eggs are protected by law which means anything you do which causes harm to wild birds, nests, or eggs is an offence.
For this reason, it is advisable to avoid carrying out tree works during Bird Nesting Season and to schedule it for another time of year.
What if a tree poses a risk to life or property?
As with all legislation, certain exceptions exist to allow for dangerous trees to be dealt with on a case by case basis subject to comprehensive Risk Assessments.
Carrying out tree works during Bird Nesting Season
As a rule, we seek to minimise tree pruning, felling and vegetation clearance during Bird Nesting Season. However, there are times when work is critical – usually due to H&S reasons.
If you cannot delay work until outside Bird Nesting Season, HRG Tree Surgeons has processes to minimise risk to birds and other wildlife.
For example, visual surveys are undertaken to assess whether birds or other protected species are present.
When appropriate, we take advice from specialist ecologists to preserve an area’s ecology. In some instances (H&S) a licence is required from Natural England to remove nests.
Because birds may nest outside of Bird Nesting Season, it’s essential to choose appropriately trained and qualified tree surgeons who can recognise the signs of nesting birds in your tree stock at any time of the year.
How can HRG Tree Surgeons help?
Before advising any arboricultural work, one of our experienced arborists will visually inspect the trees or hedgerows concerned. You will receive our recommended course of action, including advice on timetabling the completion of any work.
If you have concerns about the health or safety of trees on your property or would like reliable, professional advice regarding tree works, the team is here to help. Just call 02382 440473 to speak to one of the team.
