Spring cleaning your yard is probably making it difficult for local birds to do their spring cleaning. Most homeowners don't realize that by trying to make their property look nice for spring, they remove valuable wildlife habitat, and on top of that, they may destroy active nests. Thankfully there are ways to cleanup and not destroy wildlife.
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Check PriceThe Timing Tragedy
The most common mistake when pruning is done during the height of nesting season. This is typically the beginning of March until the end of August. Even if you cannot see the nests, many shrubs and trees will likely be hiding nests. What most people consider an overgrown branch may be home to a family of cardinals or chickadees!
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Hidden Homes in Your Hedges
It isn't only nests that are hard to see. The common backyard birds that build nests have learned to camouflage their nests and make them as hard to see as possible. The dense shrub you plan to "shape up" might be home to multiple nests in various stages of development.
The Smart Pruning Solution
Before doing the traditional spring cleanup consider a bird-friendly pruning schedule instead:
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- Pruning should be done in February as birds will begin nesting soon.
- Make sure to heavily trim or prune shrubs and hedges in fall (October-November).
- Only prune dead or hazardous branches within the nesting season.
- Always inspect thoroughly for nests before cutting
Reading the Signs
Active nests may indicate warning signs. Before using your pruning shears, look for the below signs:
- Birds bring nesting materials to the same place over and over again.
- Defensive behavior from normally shy birds
- Increased bird activity around specific shrubs or trees
- There are slight variations in the density of the foliage where the nests might be hidden.
Beyond the Nests
Over the years, countless birds have made their nests in the same place repeatedly. Poor pruning consequences go beyond the current active nests. When we remove these long-standing sites, we affect more than just the current breeding season. We affect future generations too.
The dense shrubs and trees provide many benefits, one of which is nesting sites. They also provide:
- Protection from predators
- Shelter from harsh weather
- Natural food sources
- Safe spaces for fledglings learning to fly
Creating a Bird Friendly Balance
You can have both a clean garden and a healthy bird home. Just leave some parts of your garden a bit wild during the breeding season. Your extra growth can mean success for nesting birds. While tending your garden, it is best to work with nature to create a good bird habitat at the same time.
When you do need to prune during nesting season:
- Start with a thorough visual inspection
- Listen for increased bird activity or distress calls
- Work slowly and be prepared to stop if you discover a nest
- When finding a nest, leave a buffer zone of leaves around it.
Wildlife appreciate a messy garden! Gardens that have magazine-quality designs have very little habitat support for local animal populations. With just some changes to garden design and maintenance, we can create beautiful spaces, that also support the survival of wildlife.
Before performing any major pruning this spring, how about giving overgrown shrubs a chance to become a nursery? Some plants can be shaggy for a few months and may aid the next generation of backyard birds. Baby birds are one of the best sounds of spring!
