Hi,
I am sure it has been answered a thousand times but I have a hawthorn hedge on two sides of my garden and a privet on the other. Due to having a new baby I wasn’t able to get out and sort the hedge out last year. I don’t believe there are any birds nesting in it as it has not developed any foliage yet. If I give it a quick trim this week is that okay? We have had birds nest in it previous years and I always leave it until the last week in September to tackle.
A few birds nest prior to foliage. Loads of 'heavy duty' professional gardeners pruning trees, shrubs and hedges here now, and will do so all Spring. I reckon so long as you are vigilant, and listen out for alarm calls, as well as check again prior to work, you should be ok. That is clearly more than most professional gardeners around here do.
Thanks, I will tackle it this week while there are buds and patchwork leaves.