IF you’re pondering of chopping your hedge or pruning a tree, bear in mind it’s unlawful to take, harm or destroy any birds’ nests, our Rural Engagement Team warns.
“Everyone knows that stealing wild birds’ eggs is a crime but not everyone is aware that it’s also illegal to take, damage or destroy any birds’ nests,” says Rural, Wildlife and Heritage Crime officer PC Jed Raven.
“Most birds nest between March and August but some will nest outside these months so if you are cutting hedges or pruning trees at any time of year, you must make sure there is not an active bird nest in the branches before you start work.”
Simply disturbing nesting birds may cause mum or dad birds to desert their nests, eggs or young, leaving them to die.
Jed provides: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy nature and the countryside safely but that can only continue if we ensure that our wildlife is protected and preserved, not just for us but for generations to come.”
All wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected beneath the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
To discover out extra about #OperationEaster – the nationwide policing response to egg thefts – and what you are able to do should you see anybody appearing suspiciously round nesting birds, click on on the hyperlink in Comments.
