Bird breeding season and bird protection

Shrub and tree pruning work must therefore be carried out outside of this period and is only permitted until February 29 of each year in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act. From March 1 to September 30, garden and home owners should refrain from pruning altogether. Only careful pruning and absolutely unavoidable measures to remove obstacles to visibility and traffic on roads and paths are permitted.

In the built-up area of Offenbach, the regulations of the statutes for the protection of green areas also apply. These state that protected deciduous and coniferous trees (with a trunk circumference of 60 cm or 120 cm at a height of one meter) as well as deciduous shrubs and hedges (from an area of 30 m²) may only be felled with permission. For these trees and shrubs, a shorter bird breeding season applies by way of exception, meaning that felling can take place as early as August 1.

If you want to support the birds in their family planning, you should hang up nesting boxes in February or March at the latest for the beginning of the breeding season. In order to provide the animals with sufficient food, e.g. berries or insects, it is important that the garden is designed to be bird- and insect-friendly. Native shrubs and fruit trees, climbing plants such as ivy and wild vine, wild herbs and culinary herbs, and many annual and perennial shrubs are ideal for this.

If you have any questions about nesting boxes and bird-friendly garden design, the Office for the Environment, Energy and Climate Protection can provide advice.