Did You Know:
- Under The Wildlife act, it’s a criminal offence to cut, burn or destroy vegetation in the garden or countryside nationwide from 1st March to 29th August.
- The ban is to protect birds while they’re breeding. If you disturb a nesting bird, it’s an offence.
- Birds can brood multiple times in the year.
- It’s best not to trim or cut hedges even in late February or early September. Birds nest outside the ban.
- If a hedge gets cut where there’s a nest in there, the nest will get destroyed, the chicks killed or it may make the bird abandon the nest.
- Hedgerows are really important as we don’t have a huge amount of woodland. Hedgerows link up habitats. They’re important for nesting, food and shelter.
- Hawthorn or blackthorn hedge are good nesting spots.
- There are alot of birds on the endangered ‘red list’ list which means there is a huge conservation concern for them.
- These include the wagtail, curlew and grey wagtail amongst others.
- In some cases there are exemptions in the ban season, such as construction or road safety. But a permit has to be applied.
What You Can Do:
- If you see someone cutting within this season you can contact the National Parks & Wildlife Service.
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