Call us for Bird Management Tel. 01305 848881

Knighton Countryside carry out a great deal of site clearance, and this is often done during the winter months to avoid disturbing nesting birds. All our staff members understand the need to identify and report any instances of nesting birds, and we also understand the need to complete projects in good time when surveys have identified a potential issue.

Bird populations have an impact on development projects and there is plenty of helpful advice on the Gov.UK website, which can be found here. A particularly useful guide for anyone undertaking a site clearance or woodland project is the RSPB Wild Birds & The Law document, which can be found here. The ‘Bird Nesting Season’ is officially from February until August (Natural England) and it is recommended that vegetation works (tree or hedge cutting) or site clearance should be done outside of the nesting season. However, in reality the nesting period may start before this and extend beyond it, in some cases. The busiest time for nesting birds is from 1st March until 31st July and will vary according to species.

Nearly all the work carried out by Knighton Countryside is in rural areas, or sites that are being prepared for development. Consequently, there is the potential to disturb populations of wild birds, and Knighton’s staff are very aware of the need to be vigilant and prevent disruption.

A protected species survey and mitigation plan carried out by the client’s ecologist can indicate specific measures that may need to be carried out. This may include planting and the creation of new habitats, or the installation of bird boxes or owl boxes. Works may need to be scheduled to avoid the nesting season. Knighton’s flexible workforce can be mobilised at short notice, and all understand the importance of identifying signs of nesting.

Birds may be accommodated by either adapting the structure of a building to allow access to parts otherwise sealed by modern construction, or through the provision of purpose built nesting boxes. Where incorporating the latter as part of a scheme of enhancement, only boxes of robust or permanent construction – preferably those constructed to be incorporated within the building fabric itself – are likely to be suitable. Some account must be taken of the potential need to maintain, and in the case of wall mounted units, replace boxes after a number of years in use. Knighton Countryside can install any size and shape of bird box and are able to construct bespoke versions to suit your requirements and to blend in with existing surroundings.