Hedge Laying and Boundary Work Record
Give a hedge that is laid once in a working lifetime a history, so the next person to lay it knows the style, the year and which gaps were planted up.
GG-11 2 pages
Garden and growing · GG-43
Nesting Bird Check Before Hedge and Tree Work
A free printable nesting bird check for hedge and tree work: how the check was done, nests and wildlife found, the decision, and re-checks before work restarts.
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2 pages. Choose your paper size — both versions are laid out identically, so neither one gets shrunk to fit.
Print it and write on it
Fill it in type and save
The fillable versions have real form fields — open them in any PDF reader, type into them and save. Printing help.
What this sheet is for
Record the check for active nests just before cutting, and what you decided because of it. If work waits for a nest, the re-check log shows when it carried on.
Who it is for
Gardeners, tree surgeons, hedge cutters, landscapers and grounds staff about to cut hedges, trees, climbers or dense growth.
How to use it
- Fill in the job and the work planned before you start the check.
- Take your time: watch, listen and look, and tick each method you used.
- Record every nest or animal found, its status as far as you can tell, and a photo reference.
- Tick the decision, then use the re-check log on page two each time you look again before or during the work.
What is on the sheet
2 pages, in this order:
Page 1
Printed under the title: The check for active nests and other wildlife made just before cutting a hedge, a tree or dense growth: how it was done, what was found and whether the work went ahead, moved or waited.
Check the rules where you are. Many countries protect birds' nests while they are in use or being built, and some protect bats and other wildlife too. This sheet does not say when you may cut: check the rules where you are. If you find an active nest, leave it and the growth around it alone, and if you are unsure, stop and ask for advice.
Write-on lines: Site · Hedge or tree ref · Date of check · Checked by · Work planned · Planned start · Who is doing the work
How the check was done — tick each method used
Write-on lines: Time started · Time spent · Weather · Light
- Watched from a distance before going close
- Watched for birds carrying food or nest material
- Listened for alarm calls and begging young
- Looked carefully into dense growth, ivy and climbers
- Checked holes, splits and cavities in trunks and limbs
- Checked the hedge bottom and ground for nests
- Looked for droppings, feathers or shell below
- Looked for bats, hedgehogs, wasp and bee nests
What was found — nests and any other wildlife
Table, 6 rows: Where · Found · Status · Species · Photo · Left untouched
Page 2
Decision — tick one, and fill in the details
- Go ahead as planned: nothing active found
- Go ahead, leaving a marked area untouched
- Postpone the work: date below
- Stop and seek advice: who below
Write-on lines: Postponed until · Advice sought from · Advice given
Re-checks before and during the work — look again before restarting, and on each day of a long job
Table, 16 rows: Date · Time · Area checked · Nest status · Go ahead? · Notes · By
Signature strip: Work signed off by · Signature · Date
Questions
Can I cut a hedge in the nesting season?
That depends on where you are and on what is in the hedge, and this sheet does not say. Many countries protect nests that are in use or being built, and some set dates for cutting farm hedges. Check the rules where you are, and get advice if you are unsure.
What counts as an active nest?
One being built, or with eggs or young in it. A nest can look empty between broods or while the adults are away, so the status column has room for 'unsure'. If you cannot tell without disturbing it, treat it as active and leave it alone.
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