While the law states that hedges and banks should be cut back by 15th June, it is to allow vehicles and pedestrians to pass unobstructed and does not require the destruction of nesting birds and their chicks, nor the scouring of fabulous and often rare plants growing on our earth banks.

Nesting birds and their eggs are protected by law.  They cannot be disturbed. The June cut coincides with the breeding season which runs roughly between March and August. Many birds nest in hedges where they are sheltered and safe from most predators.  Nests are often well hidden, so you might not know they are there.

The two laws are contradictory.

La Société Guernesiaise supports good practice guidelines to encourage biodiversity while also keeping roads safe.  La Société also welcomes the use of native hedging such as Hawthorn as they support many more species than non-native hedging plants such as Griselinia littoralis.

Late winter is the best time to cut hedges.  This gives wildlife, including migrating birds, a chance to eat any berries. It also means that the June cut can be lighter. 

It is only the outside of the hedge, which faces the road, that needs to be cut back.  The inside of the hedge can be left until August or given a light trim.  Thicker hedges are more beneficial to wildlife.

Check the hedge carefully before cutting.  If you do find a nest in use, where at all possible, lightly cut back using hand tools which cause less disturbance. 

Don’t cut back too hard. This is especially true of earth banks.  They form an important network for animals and plants, often linking natural environments. If banks are scalped so that bare earth shows, soil is easily eroded.  It is also detrimental to many of our native flowering plants, ferns and the wildlife they support.  There should be at least 100mm or 4 inches of vegetation so that plants can shoot again.

Cutting roadside hedges twice a year is beneficial as it prevents the encroachment of scrubby growth and preserves wildflowers.

For more information from ACLMS, follow the link: Hedge Cutting Advice – States of Guernsey (gov.gg)

If you would like to support our campaign for best practice hedge cutting, earth bank management and protecting nesting birds we have provided a package of resources below for you to download and share. 

We have a poster and social media slides to educate best practice for hedge cutting as well as a series of graphics to communicate the importance of checking hedges for nesting birds and wildlife before cutting. 

Please feel free to download any of the graphics to use on your social media or to print out to ensure we get this vital message to protect habitat shared widely across the island. 

Suggested caption: 

‘Bird Nesting Season poster’ 

It’s Bird Nesting Season, here is La Société’s Guide to Hedge Cutting during this time. 

Nesting birds and their eggs are protected by law. They cannot be disturbed. The June cut coincides with the breeding season which runs roughly between March and August. Many birds nest in hedges where they are sheltered and safe from most predators.  Nests are often well hidden, so you might not know they are there. 

Please share this message to ensure islanders are aware of the legality of disrupting nesting birds and head to societe.org.gg/wp/hedge-cutting-and-earth-banks/ to find out more.

#fornature #hedgecutting #lasociete

‘Check Before you Cut’

La Société is asking individuals and organisations to ‘check before you cut’ in an effort to protect nesting birds and other wildlife from hedge cutting. Nesting birds and their eggs are protected by law. They cannot be disturbed. The June cut coincides with the breeding season which runs roughly between March and August. Many birds nest in hedges where they are sheltered and safe from most predators. Nests are often well hidden, so you might not know they are there.

Hedge cutting can be hugely disruptive for nesting birds and other wildlife, by checking and ensuring your hedge is clear before you cut you can help avoid harming habitat. 

Please share this message to ensure islanders are aware of the legality of disrupting nesting birds and head to societe.org.gg/wp/hedge-cutting-and-earth-banks/ to find out more. 

#fornature #hedgecutting #lasociete

‘Critical Time for Nesting Birds’ 

Birds generally nest between March and August, many birds nest in our hedges and earth banks. It is illegal to disrupt nesting birds and their eggs. La Société is hoping to make islanders more aware of the habitats around us, in our gardens and along our roadsides. To protect nesting birds please cut hedges with care. 

#fornature #hedgecutting #lasociete