Hedge Cutting at the end of March

[Dom Tuk]

is it not irresponsible of a local farmer to start trimming his hedges at this time of the year with the birds already building their nests etc. is there any rules about when the farmer can cut hedges with his tractor

[brachiopod]

About as irresponsible as 6 million Britons heading down to B&Q on a Easter bank Holiday to buy various digging equipment / trimmers / rotavators to turn over the gardens they haven't touched in five months.

[FP]

Yes, I think it is totally irresponsible.  I have untidy garden hedges and shrubs until the nesting season is over.  Fortunately, a lot of farmers are now practicing more nature friendly housekeeping but some just don't care - like the massive estate by which I am surrounded.

Please spare a thought for the birds before going wild with your garden shears and hedgetrimmers this weekend.  A lot of species are in rapid decline.  Is a tidy garden worth sacrificing our birds for?

[Cetti]

I understand in Ireland it's an offence to cut hedges after the 1st of March under the Countryside Act, but whether this applies to mainland Britain I really don't know. Most of the farmers around my area (Dorset) thankfully do their cutting in the autumn. It still looks pretty bare at the moment but the birds are busy gathering their bits and pieces for their nests in the knowledge that given a couple of weeks the bareness will be replaced by lush foliage - and privacy will be ensured.