nest box laws?

Hi

Are there any laws about putting a nest box up on a tree that is not on my land?

I had boxes in 2 trees the other side of my back fence, alongside a public footpath. The council took it upon themselves to fell most of those trees yesterday (I am still extremely upset by this as it was not necessary for any reason I can see) including one with a nest box in it and that nest box has disappeared.

My question is - is there any point in my contacting them about losing my nest box or have I not got a leg to stand on because they were not my trees and not on my land?

Thanks

  • Hello dormouse and wecome

    .I think you have answered your own question. They were' not your trees and not on your land.' I would think they would view it in the same way as if you tried to do the same thing in a neighbours garden without permission. Sorry about the loss of the trees.

  • I agree with Brenda D and i too am really sorry about the trees.

     

     

    An optimist sees the beauty of the complete rose.A pessimist sees only the thorn .

  • Anonymous
    0 Anonymous 11/09/2010 18:28

    Hi dormouse and welcome to the RSPB. Enjoy yourself here

    I feel for you losing your nest box as they do cost money - unless you made the box yourself of course.

    I think it would be a good idea to ask the Council if they may have your nestbox even it it is on the same pile of wood as the Tree that the box was connected too.

    You can only ask?  What harm is there in that?

    Sad news about trees as they are part of our heritage, but still there may be a good reason for cutting them down.  From my own experience working in the Council for years they have a reason for tree cutting so it will not have been taken lightly at all.

    Regards

    Kathy and Dave

  • Hi Doormouse, did the council know it was your nest box..? They might in fact have it in a van waiting for someone to contact them.

    But try and see it from there point of view, putting up a nest box in a tree does require some damage done to the tree with the use of screws, there are specialist screws used by the wildlife trusts and other conservation organisations that are approved.

    As a Tax payer you are within your rights to ask the council why they trimmed the trees back, but they may have had a very good reason for doing so, such as disease, or dangerous sections, councils don't spend money 'just doing something',  but the council may be within their rights to ask you who gave you permission to put up a next box in a tree they are responsible for, and did you erect it safely.?

    Ring them to see if your box can be retrieved, see if they will put some back up, but be prepared for questions back.

    Councils are not anti tree, but they are legally responsible for public safety concerning the health of those trees.

  • Thanks to everyone for their welcome and responses.

    I spoke to my neighbour and she had asked them to trim the trees because they were overhanging her garden andblocking off her light but she was as surprised as I was to find they had cut them down completely.

    I have emailed the council, we will see what they say...

    Thanks

    PS no screws were used to put up the nest boxes 

     

  • dormouse said:

    Thanks to everyone for their welcome and responses.

    I spoke to my neighbour and she had asked them to trim the trees because they were overhanging her garden andblocking off her light but she was as surprised as I was to find they had cut them down completely.

    I have emailed the council, we will see what they say...

    Thanks

    PS no screws were used to put up the nest boxes 

     

     

    Excellent, hope you get a happy outcome. :-)