Pies & Pukekos

I could hear our blackbird giving his alarm call this morning and wandered out to see what was happening. There was only a man cutting down the hedge that Boris and his wife have a nest in.
I wondered whether I should say anything or ignore it but decided I couldn't live with my conscience if I didn't confront him

So I've had a right morning of bird protection issues. Luckily the man was very polite and happy to listen to me. He had cut right up to the nest but stopped when I got a bit assertive with him and happily tie wrapped some branches back over the nest to give them some protection at my suggestion. Poor Boris has been going absolutely potty with the worry.

I rang the RSPB and got some advice and have since joined them (only £3 per month). They have some very useful advice regarding hedges and nesting birds which I printed off for the man.
He agreed to leave the rest of the hedge alone as we don't know if there are any other nests in it . . . and I pointed out that if he actually touched a nest I was within my rights to call the police as it is an offence under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.

I am so angry about this I'm spitting tacks. Why can't people just give wildlife a chance?


In the middle of all this, I've been to work to discuss my employment. Luckily, it was with 2 managers who I've known for over 10yrs. They are going to get my contract reduced to 5 hrs per week which suits me and the chronic fatigue pain and see how things go. So fingers crossed!