Bird nesting season typically runs from March into autumn in the UK, during which time birds will be actively building nests, laying eggs, or raising their young. All of this, of course, is a regular, everyday part of nature – but you might find that it can cause a headache for you if you require any tree work during this time.
With that in mind, About Trees has put together a handy guide for what you should do to avoid harming birds during nesting season, and staying on top of all relevant wildlife legislation.
Nesting season is a crucial time for the survival of many bird species throughout the UK. It’s also a crucial time for members of the public and tree work experts – who can play a small part in ensuring that our natural environments stay protected.
During the nesting season – which typically runs from March to September/October in the UK – you will see many species actively building nests in trees, either to lay eggs or raise their young.
Under UK legislation aimed at protecting nesting birds, tree surgeons and tree work experts have added responsibilities when it comes to their work during this period. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the obligations required when it comes to protecting birds:
What is the legislation around bird nesting in the UK?
The main piece of legislation on bird nesting in the UK is The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This legislation gives robust legal protection for wild birds and their nests, their eggs, and their young.
With regards to tree work, the legislation states that it is illegal to intentionally or recklessly disturb nesting birds, meaning that any tree work carried out during this time must be carefully planned and executed to minimise the risk of disturbance.
How does bird nesting affect tree work?
As experienced tree surgeons based in Kent, About Trees understands the Wildlife and Conservative legislation, and we are fully committed to complying with all relevant guidelines to protect nesting birds.
While tree work can sometimes be a lot more tricky during the nesting season, we go the extra length of conducting pre-work checks, so as to thoroughly identify nesting sites and take appropriate measures to avoid all disturbance. As with all experienced tree work companies, we will always legally and ethically comply with the legislation, meaning that we will be thorough in our checks, and we’ll stop work or postpone it if an active nest is found.
Within our pre-work checks, we also go to added lengths to try to identify whether or not ground nesting is present in the area. Ground nesting birds, such as skylarks, are often vulnerable during the nesting season. These birds build their nests on grassland and heathland habitats, making them susceptible to disturbance from tree work going on around them.
In addition, when working in areas where nesting may be present within the wider vicinity, we take extra care to minimise the risk of disturbance. This will often involve: adjusting our work schedule; implementing exclusion zones around nesting sites; being mindful of how work we carry out might expose nesting birds to the elements; and using machinery which features reduced noise.
What is the best way to avoid harming birds during bird nesting season?
If you are a client looking for us to carry out tree work on your behalf, the best action you can take is simply being mindful of the legislation in the UK and patient when it comes to the limitations imposed on us during nesting season.
In some cases, we might find it necessary to postpone tree work until the nesting season is over to avoid harming nesting birds. While this may cause inconvenience, the protection of wildlife and adherence to legal requirements are our top priorities and part of our commitment to excellence.
We are always happy to discuss these matters with our clients individually. We want to make sure that our clients feel empowered, educated, and understood when talking through specific issues related to their tree needs. Quite often, clients will appreciate the care and attentiveness we put into ensuring their needs are met, while also meeting all legal, ethical, and moral requirements on the part of our wonderful environments!
Conclusion: Working For Nature and For Our Clients
All tree work requires meticulous planning and expertise, and that’s all before mentioning the careful legislation involved which is designed to protect nature and animal habitats. When it comes to bird nesting and operating during bird nesting season, we will always do everything we can to work for our clients, while also working for a better natural environment.
If you want to discuss how we can help you then please get in touch.
