Short answer
There is no fixed legal date ban for cutting garden hedges, but it is an offence to intentionally damage or destroy a wild bird’s nest while it is in use or being built. The RSPB says birds may nest from March to September and recommends cutting only between 1 September and 28 February.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you are unsure about a specific situation, ask your local council or the RSPB.
Which dates are “nesting season”?
| Source | Dates |
|---|---|
| RSPB | Birds may nest March to September; recommends cutting 1 September to 28 February |
| Government guidance (commonly quoted) | 1 March to 31 August |
| British Trust for Ornithology | From 1 February |
| Some species | Wood pigeons and collared doves may nest almost all year |
The law protects the nest, not the calendar. A nest in use in a March hedge is protected; an empty nest in a December hedge generally is not a problem. But because birds are hard to spot, avoiding the March to August period for major cutting is the safest approach.
What the law says
- England, Scotland and Wales: the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to intentionally damage, destroy or remove a wild bird’s nest while it is in use or being built, and to take or destroy eggs.
- Northern Ireland: the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 protects nesting birds.
- Intention: if you have been told, or can reasonably see, that a nest is active and carry on cutting, you may be treated as having intended the damage.
See our wider guide to hedge cutting laws in the UK.
How to check for nests before cutting
- Watch the hedge for a few days, ideally at dawn and dusk. Birds flying in and out repeatedly with food or nesting material suggest a nest.
- Look inside the hedge as well as at the outside; nests are often deep in dense growth.
- Listen for chicks calling.
- Use hand tools where possible so you can stop immediately if you find something.
- If you find an active nest, leave that section alone until the young have left.
If you think a nest has been damaged
The RSPB advises calling the police non-emergency number, 101, and asking for the local Wildlife Crime Officer.
Practical advice
- Plan your main cuts for September to February.
- Do not rely on a quick glance: check, then check again.
- Keep a note of the date you checked. It is simple evidence that you took care.
- If a hedge must be cut in the high-risk period for safety reasons, take extra care and consider getting expert advice.