Hedges don't just provide decoration and privacy to your garden. They also serve as a shelter to various kinds of wildlife as well. Birds, butterflies and moths can all take shelter in your hedges. Here is everything you need to know about birds nesting in hedges.
Types of nesting birds
There are more than sixty species of birds that can take advantage of hedges, whether for shelter, roosting, or nesting. Birds such as blackbirds, blue tits, and many others often use hedges as their home.
Bigger birds such as turtledoves or bullfinches can benefit from tall hedges that are surrounded by many trees, while small birds such as robins or linnets may be satisfied with small hedgerows.
Why do birds like hedges?
Hedges are the perfect shelter for birds as they can get in and out through the leaves and foliages quickly and easily. In addition to this, birds use hedges to keep warm during the cold winter months.
Hedges are also a good place for birds to search for food as there are bugs and insects all around.
What to do with birds nesting in your hedges
Although there is no law against you pruning or trimming hedges, there are laws regarding what you can and cannot do with bird nests. Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 states that it is an offence to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. You should therefore be very careful when you trim your hedges which house nests. The best course of action is to let the birds leave on their own.
You should find your hedges empty of wildlife during the winter. That being said, there are still some birds that take shelter during winter months. So you should always be cautious with your hedge care. Use small garden tools and hand-held trimmers to trim your hedges. Any birds may leave during your trim to get away from the disturbance but they will come back once the area is clear.
Benefits of nesting birds
Having birds nesting in your hedges is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, there are some benefits from having these animals around that you may not be aware of.
Some species of birds eat weeds and their seeds, keeping your plants healthy and lush. Moreover, insects are the food source for many kinds of birds. This means that birds can naturally get rid of unwanted pests for you. This is one of the reasons that houses in areas filled with bird life have reportedly higher prices than houses in other areas without.
Having birds in your garden also comes with health benefits. By listening to the birds chirping and watching them flying around your garden, you become more relaxed and your stress will be kept at bay.
Need more advice on birds nesting in hedges?
If you need more advice on garden wildlife or if you’re having problems working out what to do with your garden, the best thing to do is to work with a professional gardening service.
At George-Stone Gardens we help our clients create and maintain the gardens of their dreams. We are a friendly and professional team with many years of experience. Why not contact us to see how we can help you with your outside space?
