The RSPB are urging gardeners to check hedges and shrubs very carefully for nesting birds before doing any trimming at this time of year.
The
RSPB are urging gardeners to exercise caution and restraint as they prepare, in their thousands, to tackle the annual Spring garden tidy-up. This is particularly relevant to wildlife gardener's since we are constantly being urged, for very sound reasons, to forego the autumnal tidy up for a bigger Spring clean. Before cutting back any shrubs or hedges, gardeners should check them
very carefully for nesting birds. It is surprising how inconspicuous birds can be - especially when they are incubating eggs. Nests can be made and eggs laid very rapidly - without alerting even the most observant gardener - so check those shrubs first!