Early hedge cutting could starve birds of berries

[Donna]

Cutting back hedges and bushes too early this year could starve birds of late autumn berries.

The mild weather has meant birds are feasting on insects later this year. They have not had to turn to autumn fruits yet, so many hedgerows are still bursting with berries.

These sources of food are what birds rely on to set them up for winter.

Traditionally, people start trimming their bushes at this time of year once the breeding season is over and before birds start scoping out roost sites.

We always suggest waiting until later in the winter, but this year it’s even more important than recent years.