Roger the Robin’s Spring

Spring is here! Nature awakens, birds sing, and hares speed across the fields. José, our pigeon reporter, is on the hunt for news to share in the ‘Echo des oiseaux’. The magazine that’s the talk of the groves.

[José pigeon-reporter] : Isn’t that Roger the robin? Yes, it’s him! Roger! But, wait for me!

[Roger the robin] :
I don’t have time to chat, you see. I need to build my nest. The garden owner forgot my pile of twigs this year! It’s going to take me twice as long to build my nest in the hedge now.

[José pigeon-reporter] : Oh dear! I’m really sorry, Roger, but look! This year, the next-door neighbor let their hedge grow.

[Roger the robin] :
Thanks for the free hedge! By the way, between you and me, I think Isabelle the turtledove had to move gardens because her co-op’s hedge was too low. She would have been snatched by the neighborhood cats in no time.

[José pigeon-reporter] : Phew! Two cats per garden, it’s getting difficult to sleep with both eyes closed!

[Roger the robin] :
I hope the owners won’t trim my hedge between mid-March and late August? Because otherwise, I’ll have to rebuild my nest elsewhere and lose all my little ones.
Oh! That reminds me of Chantal the hedgehog’s story! Did you know that hedgehogs love it when you leave some grassy strips unmown near hedges? It allows them to move from hedge to hedge, hidden from prying eyes. Last year, the owner acquired a drone-mower. As a result, she had to move with her whole family across the street to the eco-district! Over there, it’s a punk garden.

[José pigeon-reporter] : Interesting! What about tree pruning then, if you only need the hedge? We can go ahead, right?

[Roger the robin] :
NO, No! Absolutely not! Trees should not be pruned or trimmed from mid-March to late August ! Bernadette, the linnet, has already built her nest in her oak tree, and Martin the squirrel lives in his old apple tree. There are occupants on every level, you know, and not just birds! Hedges aren’t just useful for us; they have many other uses.
Hey, look!

[José pigeon-reporter] : Thanks, Roger! Can you elaborate on that mowing story?

[Roger the robin] :
You know, hedges and trees should be left alone, but Pierre the earthworm asked me to pass on a message. Just because the weather is nice doesn’t mean the mowers should come out! Because Pierre, he gets heatstroke in the summer with repeated mowing. He even launched a movement ‘No Mow May’ and it’s working quite well!

Well, with all that, I need to get back to work!
Until next time!

Did you know?

Generally, if you’ve grasped the main points of the interview, it is advisable not to prune trees and hedges between April 1st and August 15th. You can even go beyond that without hesitation 😉

In Belgium, each region has its own rule:

• In the Brussels Region, cutting and pruning with motorized equipment is prohibited by law between April 1st and August 15th.

• In the Walloon Region, this is not yet the case. Only farmers are required not to prune hedges and trees between April 1st and July 31st.

• In the Flemish Region: Pruning and felling during the breeding season are not prohibited, provided that nests and birds are not destroyed or disturbed and that you have the required permits/authorizations. However, some municipalities align with the rule of Brussels-Capital.