...is worth a bird in the bush.

[Fnaar]

My bush needs a trim. Well, the hedges in my garden, really. Didn't get round to doing them early in the season, what with the cold/wet and all that, but now they're a bit unruly, but there's a serious amount of nesting activity going on, and I wouldn't want to disturb the little blighters... can anyone tell me when it might be safe (for the birds' sake) to get the hedge trimmers out?

 

[rich p]

After they've fledged!
Also after the shrubs have flowered in general.

 

[accountantpete]

Our Blackbirds are on their second lot know - they can sometimes go for a third if they are not too nackered so it will be July in order to be safe.

If you have some hand-shears then a gentle trim of the green new growth now would be fine as it doesn't disturb them greatly (try not to expose any nest to the sun).

 

[Norm]

In general, I wouldn't be doing too much cutting at this time of year anyway. Leave them to go native for a few months.

 

[Fnaar]

Thanks folks... gentle hand-trimming it is then.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

If it's a petrol hedge trimmer, Sunday morning nice and early is a good time

 

[snakehips]

If it's a petrol hedge trimmer, Sunday morning nice and early is a good time

.... or when the neighbours are having a barbie and sending clouds of smoke and the smell of incinerated animal flesh over in your direction.

Snake

My Library

 

[ChrisKH]

If it's a petrol hedge trimmer, Sunday morning nice and early is a good time

A man after my own heart. I'm up at six and the neighbours who were partying until 3.00 a.m. have got to get up some time.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

A man after my own heart. I'm up at six and the neighbours who were partying until 3.00 a.m. have got to get up some time.

I always find that intensive Flymo strimmer use against their fence when they're in the garden entertaining is excellent payback too