Small Developments: Nesting bird checks

All nesting birds are protected in the UK and this protection extends to nests that are in the process of being built. It is in fact an offence to intentionally or recklessly:

• kill, injure or take a bird
• take, damage, destroy or interfere with a nest of any bird while it is in use or being built
• obstruct or prevent any bird from using its nest
• take or destroy an egg of any bird.

Some species have extra protections if the population is at risk or if they are subject to persecution.

Sometimes a nesting bird check needs to be carried out before development work begins, either because birds are known to be nesting there during previous surveys or because the habitat, for example a hedgerow or trees, is suitable for nesting birds and a bird nest check might have been stipulated in your PEA. These checks generally need to be within 24/48 hours of the work starting and should be carried out by an ecologist to ensure that if there are nests, whether they are in use or not. Depending on the species and where the nests are situated, it doesn't necessarily mean work has to stop.

We also carry out these checks for farmers either using traditional methods or using thermal technology. Some ground nesting bird species nest in crops, including silage, due to a lack of habitat locally. We can survey to let farmers know where the nests are and advise on mitigation strategies such as suitable buffer zones, and on providing habitat close by to provide alternate nesting habitat.