Wildlife Crime Case Study

Local residents expressed concerns to their Borough Wildlife Crime Officer that hedges were being cut during bird nesting season. As a result, the local policy on hedge cutting was reviewed and changed to ensure that nests would not be disturbed again in the future. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 recognises that bird nesting season runs from 1st March to 31st July. Under Section 1 of the Act, it is an offence to damage or disturb a nest whilst occupied or being built.