Is it illegal to cut hedges in a back garden this time of year

monkeyactive

Was just about to give the overgrown hedge out back a fade.

Seems that it's dangerous to nesting birds for me to do so this time of year ,even illegal ?

Is this the case ? Have I missed the boat?

runawaybishop

You can trim garden hedges

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/f5cd9-reminder-on-hedge-cutting-and-the-law/

The prohibition outlined above does not apply (unless done by burning) in a number of circumstances set out in the Act. For businesses, landowners and the general public the most notable of these exemptions are:

• The destruction, in the ordinary course of agriculture or forestry, of any vegetation growing on or in any hedge or ditch. In the Act, “agriculture” is defined as including horticulture. Since horticulture includes gardening, the summertime trimming of hedges in the ordinary course of gardening falls under this exemption;

Jim_Hodge

Not illegal at all. Some people will try to tell you it is but it, categorically, is not. No harm to keep an eye out for nests when cutting but it's still early for most species.

looksee

Yes, you may disturb nesting birds, but no, it is not illegal. Just take care and be observant. As Jim Hodge says, most of them are barely getting started. Apart from the crows, breaking off great branches of twigs and dropping them all over the garden. I wonder they get nests built at all.