We have a group of 5 properties in a row where I live and at the back is an emergency alley to allow access to the rear and also as an escape route in case of fire etc. Bordering this alley is a hedgerow that has been neglected for several years and so access is now a bit more difficult than was intended. This hedgerow is home to several nesting birds all with broods currently installed. Today, one of the other residents decided to cut back the hedgerow to allow better access and surely must have desturbed most of the birds. Most of the cuttings have been thrown onto the top of the hedge and some have definately obscured the normal entrance to a Blackbirds nest.
My - reaction a sad tale but not uncommon - the wildlife have enjoyed several years of grace in the period that the council or whoever is responsible to maintain the access have failed in their duties.
It is an unfortunate situation and the work should really have been carried out outside of the nesting season. The Council could in theory prosecute who ever did the work, but in reality it is one of those things that happens quite frequently through ignorance of the law and I doubt if any action will take place, even less likley if the council should have maintained the access route. The only times I have seen any action being taken for habitat destruction during nesting periods is when schedule 1 species are being threatened, eg Hobby on land surrounding marina expansion in the Reading area
The topic of who is responsible for the resultant brashings is a long standing and contentious one between warring neighbours - legally they should go back to the owner of the land where the hedge trunks are so I assume have rightly been "put back over the hedge", albeit over the hedge is on top of the hedge here.
Hi Rob
having completed his days work he probably sat in front of the telly and watched springwatch while wondering what he could do for his local wildfile maybe put up a nest box or two or how about putting up a feeder to encourage the birds?
Sorry they tell me at work I'm too cynical
Cheers
SteveHL
Well I confronted the neighbour and they didn't realise that they were doing any harm. If they had just stood and observed for 20 minutes they would have seen the birds in and out of the hedge with beakfuls of food for their young. Still they were very contrite and promised to not do this sort of thing again at this time of year.
I have kept an eye on the situation this afternoon and am glad to say that the majority of the nests are undamaged and the parents are still coming in to feed (albeit from a different route.).
we had a similar thing the other day in the isle of wight where the council were cutting down some trees for some development land, and a neighbour called the RSPB (i think) who put a stop to the work as there were nesting birds in residence (rooks). it is illegal to disturb nesting birds of any kind, and much increased awareness of green issues means most local authorities are hot on it. bringing it to the attention of the local press would maybe seem overhanded but would bring the issue to the attention of the local population effectively.
Discussion
7 repliesWhat would your reaction be to this issue?
Rob
It is an unfortunate situation and the work should really have been carried out outside of the nesting season. The Council could in theory prosecute who ever did the work, but in reality it is one of those things that happens quite frequently through ignorance of the law and I doubt if any action will take place, even less likley if the council should have maintained the access route. The only times I have seen any action being taken for habitat destruction during nesting periods is when schedule 1 species are being threatened, eg Hobby on land surrounding marina expansion in the Reading area
The topic of who is responsible for the resultant brashings is a long standing and contentious one between warring neighbours - legally they should go back to the owner of the land where the hedge trunks are so I assume have rightly been "put back over the hedge", albeit over the hedge is on top of the hedge here.
John
Aberdeen
having completed his days work he probably sat in front of the telly and watched springwatch while wondering what he could do for his local wildfile maybe put up a nest box or two or how about putting up a feeder to encourage the birds?
Sorry they tell me at work I'm too cynical
Cheers
SteveHL
I have kept an eye on the situation this afternoon and am glad to say that the majority of the nests are undamaged and the parents are still coming in to feed (albeit from a different route.).
So it looks OK with minor damage.
Rob
Well handled and hopefully they have the message.
SteveHL LOL
Regards
Rob
we had a similar thing the other day in the isle of wight where the council were cutting down some trees for some development land, and a neighbour called the RSPB (i think) who put a stop to the work as there were nesting birds in residence (rooks). it is illegal to disturb nesting birds of any kind, and much increased awareness of green issues means most local authorities are hot on it. bringing it to the attention of the local press would maybe seem overhanded but would bring the issue to the attention of the local population effectively.
m