Spring is a time of growth in the nation's forests, with birds building nests and caring for their young. It's also a key season in the forestry calendar, and our expert staff will sometimes need to carry out essential forestry work.
This might feel surprising, but there's always an important reason why spring operations need to take place. Discover these reasons, how we carefully plan the work and the steps our foresters take to protect wildlife whilst caring for healthy, resilient forests.
Weather and ground conditions
There is no perfect time of year for forestry operations to take place without some risk to wildlife. The wetter winter months bring challenges with heavy machinery on soft, water-logged ground causing damage to tree roots, soil and watercourses. Healthy soil is a vital part of the forest eco-system, and protecting it is a priority for us.
Because of this, many areas are best worked during the drier months. These weather windows often overlap with bird nesting season, meaning that we have to carefully balance the needs of sustainable forest management with the activity of nesting birds.
Assessing and reducing risks to wildlife
Before any work begins, our foresters carry out detailed site assessments. We look closely at:
- the type of work required.
- the sensitivity of the habitat.
- the species known to use the site and potential risks.
- soil conditions and water quality.
Different nesting periods
Different bird species breed at different times, and many have overlapping seasons. Some, such as crossbills and ravens, can nest from February, while others nest throughout the year.
We do everything reasonably possible to avoid disturbing nests. Our teams are trained to recognise signs of nesting birds and other protected wildlife, including bats, badgers and rare or threatened species. If we notice activity, we adjust our plans by pausing, relocating or changing our tasks to make sure these species are protected.
The importance of machinery
We're sometimes asked why we don't use more hand-held machinery, or horses for timber extraction. We do use these lower-impact methods in very sensitive or hard-to-reach locations, but they also have limitations and safety considerations.
Horses are used in some woodlands, particularly for conservation thinning or in areas with archaeological features, but they are not suitable or safe for every site.
Modern harvesting equipment and machinery offers many benefits to foresters, including improved safety due to enclosed cabs, higher precision, faster working times, and reduced ground disturbance.
Managing forests for wildlife and biodiversity
Well-managed forests support a rich and diverse range of wildlife. By thinning and felling trees, we're:
- opening-up the tree canopy and letting more sunlight in.
- creating habitats that appeal to a variety of plants and insects.
- providing food and nesting opportunities for birds.
- maintaining a healthy mix of tree ages and species.
- increasing resilience to pests, diseases and climate change.
Only a small area of a forest is worked on at any one time. The break between forestry operations gives wildlife the time and space to recover and thrive.
Legal requirements and our responsibility
Even with careful planning, there may be rare occasions when a nest, egg or bird is accidentally destroyed during forestry operations. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, this is legal if it is the incidental result of work that could not reasonably have been avoided.
We take this responsibility seriously. Our priority is always to minimise risks, and the long‑term benefits of active forest management far outweigh the occasional, unavoidable impacts on individual nests.
A balanced approach for thriving forests
Forests are living, changing places, and our responsibility is to care for them in ways that support nature, people and the climate. Careful decision-making help us restore important habitats, protect ancient and vulnerable landscapes, and support rare and returning species.
By balancing sustainable woodland management with year‑round consideration for wildlife, we're working to make sure the nation’s forests stay vibrant, species‑rich and resilient for generations to come.
