Nesting Bird Consultants

We are nesting bird consultants with years of experience in surveying for nesting birds.

We are here to advise on timing of work to avoid nesting birds, to identify habitats where birds are likely to nest and to survey for nests during the nesting season.

General Nesting Bird Information.

Part 1.-(1) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 states that if any person intentionally:-

• Kills, injures or takes any wild bird.
• Takes, damages or destroys the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built.
• Takes or destroys an egg of any wild bird.

he shall be guilty of an offence.

Part 1.(5) of the Act states that if any person intentionally:-

• Disturbs any wild bird included in Schedule 1 while it is building a nest or is in, on, or near a nest containing eggs or young.
• Disturbs dependant young of such a bird.

he shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a special penalty.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 amends the above by inserting after "intentionally" the words "or recklessly".

The nesting season will vary according to the weather each year but generally commences in March, peaks during May and June and continues until September.

It is also worth remembering that some birds nest in trees and scrub but others are ground nesting. Birds will also nest in gaps and on ledges in bridges and walls.

The best way to avoid this issue is to plan for vegetation clearance to be carried out outside the bird-nesting season.