Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan has called for vigilance on hedge cutting as the bird nesting season begins.

Under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, the cutting, grubbing, burning or other destruction of vegetation growing in any hedge or ditch is prohibited from March 1 until August 31 annually.

This is to safeguard nesting birds and other wildlife during their critical breeding season.

Minister O'Sullivan said the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) takes breaches of the legislation "very seriously".

Last year, the NPWS initiated 17 prosecution cases under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act.

Five cases have concluded successfully, with a further 12 currently before the courts and awaiting outcomes.

The most significant penalty was a €14,000 fine imposed in Co. Laois for an offence under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act.

Hedge cutting

Minister O’Sullivan is urging the public to play their part in protecting birds as they start to build their nests, lay eggs and raise their young.

He said that vegetation such as hedgerows, trees and shrubs provide food and shelter for birds and wildlife.

Legislation prohibits the removal of vegetation during nesting season, with some limited exemptions.

Minister O’Sullivan said:  "Hedgerows are a unique feature of the Irish landscape".

"These living fences provide food and shelter for our birds and pollinators, and serve as corridors for wildlife to move across fragmented habitats.

"I encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with the guidance and their responsibilities," he said.

"The engagement we’re seeing from landowners and farmers is so encouraging, and their actions to leave hedgerows intact for the spring and summer months are giving wildlife a better chance to thrive," he added.

NPWS

The NPWS has published guidance to help landowners understand the legislation and their responsibilities to ensure compliance when managing vegetation on their property.

Landowners are advised to take precautions to protect wild birds, such as monitoring vegetation for any nesting activity and the presence of eggs before undertaking any cutting or removal.

It is an offence to wilfully disturb or harm the eggs or nest of a wild bird or a wild bird on or near a nest containing eggs or un-flown young birds at any time of the year.

The NPWS also explains the limited exemptions which apply during the bird nesting season.

If activities must take place when nesting birds may be present, it will be necessary to carry out checks for nests and breeding birds before they begin.

Hedge cutting in Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) may require separate consent to be given prior to being undertaken.

There is no exemption to the burning of vegetation during nesting season.

Habitats

Niall Ó Donnchú, NPWS director general, said that "damage to habitats caused by destruction or burning undermines decades of careful conservation work".

"For instance, a well-managed species-rich hedgerow (especially older, traditional ones) can support up to 2,000 species per kilometre.

"In addition, a square kilometre of healthy Irish peatland can harbour roughly 500-1,000 species, depending on its age, hydrology, and management," he added.

The NPWS has strengthened its co-operation with An Garda Síochána, landowners and communities and continue to investigate wildlife crime.

"To bolster our protection of our special habitats we will deploy air resources too," Ó Donnchú said.