Blitzing a garden rant
Guernsey Donkey2
Posts: 6,713
The house next door is about to have new tenants. In preparation for their arrival the garden has been blitzed today. There was over 20 years of growth down one side - trees, shrubs, brambles the usual overgrown plants. However in this time rabbits have made their burrows, birds have built nests and no doubt creepy crawlies live there too.
When the garden company arrived today nothing was left untouched and my heart bled for the blackbirds, robins and others that were squawking in fright. So many nesting birds there - robins that I was feeding who were then feeding their young with the food, and not knowing where to fly to safety.
If you are going to strip out your garden, please do it in stages and preferably after the birds have finished raising their young. I know this isn't always possible, but if you love nature and birdsong then give them a thought when tidying up outside.
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Shocking behaviour, in the UK that would be a serious matter as it is illegal to disturb nesting birds.
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/15272533.Tree_felling_causing_wildlife____devastation___/
Sorry, the formatting went all crazy there.
It's illegal to...
"intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1* while it is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb the dependent young of such a bird.
Fines
The maximum penalty that can be imposed for an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act - in respect of a single bird, nest or egg - is a fine of up to £5,000, and/or six months' imprisonment."
Reporting Form...
https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/our-positions-and-campaigns/positions/wildbirdslaw/reportform.aspx
Schedule 1 - https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/our-positions-and-campaigns/positions/wildbirdslaw/birdsandlaw/wca/schedules.aspx
My present neighbour (English) has put her house up for sale and the garden is a complete tip.
GD, are there no rules in Guernsey re the disturbance of nesting birds?
I was interested to read Tim's post above yours Joyce. Seems it only applies to birds listed in Schedule 1 which are the rarer birds to most common or garden inhabitants. Still morally wrong but not illegal in the eyes of the law it would seem.
I will contact our local bird man - he is sure to know what the laws are over here - thanks for mentioning that. My OH says it is better that the garden be cleared but surely an annual small tidy up at the right time is better than one big hack that removes everything. At least we have our wild areas (although OH would like to clear some of them too, but he knows I will kick up a fuss if he ever dares). So many gardens are too neat, we often see that on here too - every garden should have a few rough areas left for foraging if at all possible.
How very sad GD. Perhaps people are simply unaware. Perhaps you'll be able to encourage the new residents and let them see how wonderful it can be to provide a good habitat as well as having a nice space for humans.
Easy to make judgements too. As Joyce says, all sorts of people leave their gardens a total mess (often becoming a health hazard ) and only 'tidying' it when they move. I lived next door to one in a previous house. He was just an idle, lazy b***er. It's perfectly possible to have a good balance. Was relieved when the the nice new lady moved in. Landlords can be a bit complacent about outdoor spaces too, and simply rely on tenants to keep gardens properly maintained. A friend of mine rented out her house and the woman and her son trashed the place and left the garden a midden. Others are completely the opposite, and leave properties in better condition than they were when they moved in. I have personal experience of both sides of that situation.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Schedule 1 is irrelevant - it only applies to the rarer species not the commoner ones you'd generally have in gardens. All birds and their nests are protected though - not from disturbance, but from any actual harm including deliberate or reckless damage to nests/eggs/chicks. Don't know what the laws are in Guernsey though.
Animal welfare ( Guernsey) ordinance 2012.