Birds’ nests and nestboxes 

Come March and something very special is happening. In parks and gardens across the UK, birds are preparing to welcome in the next generation by building nests. March to September marks the main nesting season and it’s crucial that we are careful not to disturb birds during this time.  

We recommend that nestboxes are cleaned and old nests removed in the autumn. Ideally, do this from September onwards, but make sure the nest is no longer active – some species can nest right through September.  

Always wear gloves while cleaning nestboxes or bird feeders. Take the box down and empty out the nest material. Any unhatched eggs can only be removed legally between September and January (August-January if you're in Scotland), and must then be disposed of. It is quite normal for a few eggs to fail to hatch, or for some young to die.   

Use boiling water to kill any remaining parasites, and let the box dry out thoroughly. Don’t use insecticides or flea treatments – these could be harmful to chicks.  

If you place a small handful of clean hay or wood shavings (not straw) in the box once it's totally dry after cleaning, small mammals may hibernate there, or birds may use it as a roost site. Then, replace the lid and re-hang, ready for next year.   

Natural nest holes aren’t cleaned, so it’s not the end of the world. As it gets close to spring, it’s best to leave nextboxes be so as not to disturb the birds. Wait until the end of the nesting season and do an annual autumn clean.  

You don’t have to do anything about a bird’s nest in your roof. Many birds use roof spaces for nesting and usually don’t do any harm. All wild birds and their active nests are protected by law, making it illegal to remove or block off an active nest. 

Learn more about what to do if you have birds nesting in your roof. 

All birds their nests and eggs are protected by law: the Wildlife & Countryside Act of 1981. This makes it illegal, with certain exceptions, to deliberately take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. It is also illegal to take or destroy the egg of any wild bird.  

Learn more about the Wildlife and Countryside Act. 

Come March and something very special is happening in our hedgerows. In parks and gardens across the UK, birds are preparing to welcome in the next generation by building nests. March to September marks the main nesting season and it’s crucial that we are careful not to disturb birds during this time.  

Many small garden birds, such as Robins and Wrens, choose to nest within a few metres off the ground where hedges can offer a good coverage of greenery and leaves. You may well see birds darting to and from the hedgerow, taking in nesting material such as moss and small twigs. And it’s not just hedges.  

Birds also build nests in the trees, shrubs and climbers in our gardens. This vegetation is a lifeline for the birds: it provides a foundation on which their nests will rest, protects their eggs and chicks from wind, rain and sun, and helps hide them from predators.  

The best way to help your garden birds is to not cut your hedges between March and September as this is when the possibility of birds nesting is very high. 

So, we recommend only cutting between 1 September and 28 February. And during that time, we also recommend you still check for nesting birds, as some may start early in January or February or breed late into September. 

Legally, however, you can cut vegetation year-round, as long as no active nests are moved or damaged. If you plan to do this, please follow these three steps.  

1. Firstly, watch the area for a few days to make sure you do not see any nesting activity in the vegetation. When birds are nesting, they are constantly popping to and from the nesting site. This is because at all stages of nesting they need to keep returning. The regular return of birds is your main indicator that birds are nesting. If the birds leave first thing in the morning and don’t return until night, then they’re probably just using the area to sleep (roost) in.  

2. Before beginning any cutting, thoroughly check the hedge, tree or other vegetation to make sure you can’t see any active nests. 

3. Use manual cutting tools instead of electric ones, as they are easier to control and stop should you come across any wildlife.