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Hedgecutting - When allowed?
Phytographer
Posts: 22
According to this publication from Natural England,
publications.naturalengland.org.uk/file/120018
hedges shouldn't be cut from 1st March - 31st July - the bird breeding season.
Apparently it is an offence to damage a nest while it is in use or under construction.
Does this mean that is irresponisble of us to, for example, lightly trim our box hedges during this time? Should all hedge cutting, however minor, be avoided during this time?
Many thanks to you all in advance.
0
Posts
It depends if you have nests in it or not. If you do have a nest, then don't touch the hedge. If you don't, then trim away.
I like Alina W's practical advice.
Presumably such action would count as one's "due diligence" and would provide legal protection if an unnoticed nest was damaged accidentally.
Anyway, birds aside, and I am all for protecting them I assure you - if you cut it too soon you will only have to do it again later - especially with all this rain. Leave it later on and maybe you will manage with only the one cut? Depending of course what kind of hedge it is.
Peninepeta (lovely name) l, if your sparrows are raising the sound level at 7 am be thankful, our pet blackbird starts outside the bedroom window, on a telephone wire, at 4 am!! I love him dearly, but there are times when he really challenges that ........
How big is this box hedge? I would imagine the advice is aimed at natural rural hedges. Or large hedges which are likely to harbour nests. Only two weeks to wait anyway.