Avoid destroying nestlings - Threat to bird offspring - Avoid trimming hedges please!
The Landesbund für Vogelschutz (LBV) in Hilpoltstein, Germany, has issued a warning to gardeners and land managers regarding the pruning of trees, hedges, and shrubs during the nesting season. This warning is particularly relevant to songbirds, such as blackbirds, robins, and goldcrests, who are currently residing in the dense foliage of gardens, cemeteries, and parks.
The Bavarian Nature Conservation Association in Hilpoltstein has reported the nesting of these songbirds, and pruning hedges could potentially harm the bird chicks by exposing them to weather and predators. The reported species include blackbirds, robins, and goldcrests.
To protect these breeding birds, the LBV provides bird-friendly guidelines for pruning hedges. The key points include:
- Avoid Pruning During Peak Nesting Times: Ideally, do not prune hedges between March 1 and July 31, as this is the main nesting period for most birds.
- Check for Active Nests Before Pruning: If pruning cannot be avoided, carefully inspect the hedge for occupied nests. If nests with eggs or chicks are found, delay pruning until the young birds have left the nest.
- Prune Selectively and Gently: When pruning is necessary outside the recommended period, do so gently and selectively to minimize disturbance to birds’ habitats.
- Maintain Hedge Structure: Preserve the hedge’s natural shape and density to provide shelter and food sources for birds.
The LBV emphasizes the importance of hedges as critical nesting and feeding sites for many bird species, especially in agricultural and urban environments. They encourage gardeners and land managers to follow these guidelines to support bird populations.
Angelika Nelson, a biologist from the LBV, advises that only individual branches that stick out far into the path should be cut off. It is important to avoid disturbing birds and other wildlife or destroying their habitat. The warning applies to trees, hedges, and shrubs outside of forests from March 1 to September 30.
The pruning of trees, hedges, and shrubs is governed by § 39 Abs. 5 Bundesnaturschutzgesetz. The LBV has made the report regarding the nesting of these songbirds in the area.
By following these guidelines, we can help ensure the safety and well-being of these nesting birds and their chicks, and contribute to the conservation of our local bird populations.
Gardeners and homeowners are advised to be cautious during home-and-garden activities, particularly when pruning trees, hedges, and shrubs. By adhering to bird-friendly pruning guidelines, they can help protect nesting songbirds, such as blackbirds, robins, and goldcrests, who are actively reshaping their lifestyles in residential areas during the spring and summer. The Landesbund für Vogelschutz (LBV) encourages the postponement of pruning until after September 30, or carefully inspecting the greenery for active nests before undertaking any pruning work.
