UK households are being warned that a common garden task in May could result in an unlimited fine. Trimming hedges during this period risks disturbing nesting wild birds, which are protected by law.
Legal Protection for Nesting Birds
Gardeners are reminded that under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. The nesting season typically runs from March to August, but can be longer. Disturbing nests intentionally can lead to a hefty fine, up to six months in jail, or both.
Met Office Guidance
The Met Office advises that May is a key month for nesting birds. It is vital to check that any operations such as pruning or hedge-cutting do not cause a disturbance that would cause birds to abandon their nests.
Hedgerow Management Rules
The hedgerow management rules aim to protect hedgerows on agricultural land, as they are important ecological building blocks. Hedgerows provide habitat, act as wildlife corridors, slow soil erosion and water run-off, support crop pollinators, sequester carbon, and enrich the landscape.
The Royal Horticultural Society emphasises that when undertaking work on garden hedges, check first for nesting birds. A hedgerow is a line of bushes which can include trees; any trees growing in a hedgerow are treated as part of it. However, a line of trees that does not meet this definition and is not managed as a hedgerow is not covered by the rules. The rules also include hedgerows on top of a traditional hedgerow bank.
