“Unintentionally” breaking strict guidance could result in eye-watering fines and jaw-dropping financial punishments, it has been claimed.
UK households with garden bushes face ‘unlimited fines’ over ‘accidental’ rule break
UK households with bushes in gardens risk “unlimited fines” for a mistake – even if “accidental”. “Unintentionally” breaking strict guidance could result in eye-watering fines and jaw-dropping financial punishments, it has been claimed.
Gardeners are being warned over disturbing birds’ nests in bushes in gardens nationwide. All wild birds species, their nest and eggs are protected by law. “Under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it’s an offence to intentionally damage or destroy a wild bird’s nest while it is being built or in use,” say the forest and gardening tools experts at Husqvana.
“That includes consciously using a hedge trimmer when there is a bird’s nest in your hedge and, in the process of doing so, causing the nest to be damaged or destroyed.”
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The RSPCA advises: “Birds are at their most vulnerable when nesting. Any disturbance could kill or injure wild birds and their young – or cause parent birds to abandon their nest, eggs and young.
“Nests can’t be moved or destroyed while they’re being built or still in use – apart from under certain exceptions to allow the control of certain birds for specific reasons under licence.
“Many people are unaware of the legal protection that birds, their nests, eggs and young have and what action they can legally take.
“However, reckless building work, tree-felling or hedge-cutting at the height of the nesting season can leave people facing prosecution.
“Anyone found guilty of an offence could be given a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine, which can be imposed in respect of each bird, nest or egg affected.
“Don’t carry out any activity that will affect nesting birds in spring or summer when birds are nesting – even if it’s just in your garden. Instead, plan work for times of the year when nests aren’t in use.
“Also consider any other protected species that might be affected by the work, such as bats roosting in buildings.”
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