Hi everyone, I'm new to the site and looking for advice. Hope someone can help me. I live on the edge of a village and we have some fantastic wildlife. Behind my house there is an strip of woodland about 1 km long by about 100m. It's on the valley edge beside a disused railway track. It's mainly conifer,there are some tall larches and a variety of other native broadleaf trees and bushes that are self seeded. To cut a long story short tree felling has commenced at one end and is progressing rapidly. half way down is where buzzards have nested for at least the last ten years. We have pheasant, sparrowhawks, collered doves and owls to name but a few of the larger birds. Can anyone tell me what is the law regarding the timing of this operation? I think it's land owned by an estate (and they are large land owners). It's so upsetting to think of all the nesting birds that are going to be disturbed. Thanks
Midge said: Hi everyone, I'm new to the site and looking for advice. Hope someone can help me. I live on the edge of a village and we have some fantastic wildlife. Behind my house there is an strip of woodland about 1 km long by about 100m. It's on the valley edge beside a disused railway track. It's mainly conifer,there are some tall larches and a variety of other native broadleaf trees and bushes that are self seeded. To cut a long story short tree felling has commenced at one end and is progressing rapidly. half way down is where buzzards have nested for at least the last ten years. We have pheasant, sparrowhawks, collered doves and owls to name but a few of the larger birds. Can anyone tell me what is the law regarding the timing of this operation? I think it's land owned by an estate (and they are large land owners). It's so upsetting to think of all the nesting birds that are going to be disturbed. Thanks
Welcome to the forum. I am pretty certain that there are strict laws with regard to this sort of thing. I am sure that someone will be along to advise you.
Tiger Signature
Hi Midge and welcome to the RSPB Community.
Here's a relevant link on the ever useful "Naturenet" site http://www.naturenet.net/law/birds.html#Bas. Basically wild bird nests are protected by law while in use. For some species the protection goes further. We are now into the nesting season so woodland clearance operations are certainly an issue now.
Maybe a non-emergency call to the police may be in order. Ideally you need to get hold of their Wildlife Liaison Officer (assuming your local force has one) for advice.
JBNTS
Every day a little more irate about bird of prey persecution, and I have a cat - Got a problem with that?
Thanks for replies. I'm going to phone the Estate factor on Monday. I'll see what he has to say. I'll have a look at John B's link so at least I have a bit of backgound. I just don't get the timing but then buzzards ain't popular with the estates are they? I'll let you know the outcome.
Spoke to the forester today. He wasn't aware of the buzzard nest. Apparently they keep a map of important nest sites so he is going to mark it for future reference and they are only felling part of the wood at this time so it looks like good news for the birds.
Thanks for the link. Of the birds on Schedule 1 I can say we have had bramblings in the garden but don't know if they will be nesting in this area. Thanks for your help.