Nesting Birds and Tree Works

Natural England highlight ‘Bird Nesting Season’ as officially being from February until August. However, in some cases the nesting period may start before this and extend beyond it. The busiest time for nesting birds is from 1st March until 31st July but this varies according to species, etc.

On all our worksites be it residential or commercial, we aim to avoid any impact to nesting birds and infringement of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and breaching the European Habitats Directive 1992/Nesting Birds Directive. During ‘Bird Nesting Season’ it is recommended that tree/hedge cutting, or site clearance should be done outside of time. As a result, careful planning and assessment is required which may cause works to be postponed until nesting is over. 

However, there are notable exceptions to this including works that are necessary to ensure public health and safety. It is important to understand that bird nesting season itself does not preclude tree work being undertaken. Whilst it is understood that all wild birds are protected by law throughout the UK when they are nesting, and it is illegal to kill or injure any wild birds or damage or destroy the nest or eggs, if no active nests are present, works may legally take place.

WE ARE ALWAYS ALERT 

Our teams always check for any nesting activity. If nesting birds are found on site, all works in that area stop IMMEDIATELY. Work only resumes once the birds have completed breeding.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: 

• Breeding activity on site, including singing, courtship activities or nest building.

• Potential nest sites

• Nestling/fledgling feeding activity.