Surveys: Nesting Birds

All wild nesting birds and their eggs are protected and it is an offence to take, kill or destroy birds, their eggs or their nests. The nesting season runs from March to September and so special precautions must be taken to avoid disturbing them during this time. Birds build their nests in a variety of locations.

These can include;

• Scrub and hedgerows
• Woodpiles
• Trees
• Buildings
• Ground (species such as skylark and yellowhammer)
• Cliff and quarry faces

It is generally advised that developers avoid clearing sites in the summer months, and schedule work during the winter. If this is not possible, a Nesting Bird Survey will need to be conducted to ensure that there are no active nests present.