What would you do?

Looked it up - nesting season is from February - August.

Perhaps a light trim? If necessary and book for beginning of September, then it should look tidy all winter.

The ‘someone’ if suitably experienced, should be proficient in checking for nesting birds, my landscape gardener friend does in very thick hedging.
So, I’d make sure they are capable, if so trust them to do the job.

Can he take a look at each section as he cuts to check for nests?

Leave it until autumn.

We have the same wild hedge on one boundary. Allowed to do it's thing until late October when severely cut back and we have harvested all of the blackberries of course .
I would keep your slot but as suggested maybe not too harsh until later in the year.

I’d probably go ahead with the trimming since you haven’t seen any birds nesting yet. But maybe just check the hedge carefully before they start, to be sure. If you spot any nests, you could ask the trimmer to avoid that part for now.

Our hedge is a mess but not getting it cut until September due to bird nesting.

Would it be that bad to wait a month or so?

whywhywhy

Leave it until autumn.

This.
At least you’ll avoid a potential onslaught by ornithologists

I have the same type of hedge. And similar problems.
I'd leave it until Autumn
Why?
1. It's going to grow more energetically after the cut 'cos it's growing season
2. Wildlife

Ring around and get yourself booked in for Autumn.

The problem is that he is free now and not likely to be in autumn.

Hedges should not be trimmed during the main bird breeding season, generally between March and August, to protect nesting birds and their young, as it is illegal to intentionally damage or destroy active nests under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Just because you haven't seen activity doesn't mean there isn't any, you'd be surprised what a thick hedge can hide!

It's not just a case of the season running until August, it is illegal go cut the hedge before then.

All you need is a sharp eyed constable, or a nosey neighbour, and you could be in deep trouble

Oh, I thought it was illegal, full stop. Disallowed to trim hedges in Spring/Summer

Get the local farmer to do it when he does his field hedges (with the tractor). Then it will be done efficiently and at the correct time and the correct cut and you won’t be overcharged.

Does this law apply all over the UK or just country areas as there are an awful lot of gardeners showing their recent hedge trimming examples on local social media? Sorry to hijack

Definitely leave it until the Autumn. Best time to do it anyway.

I would certainly wait until Autumn. If your man isn’t available then, I would find someone else.

Luckygirl3

The problem is that he is free now and not likely to be in autumn.

What price do you put on not killing something and having peace of mind. I would wait until autumn.

Wait until autumn.

I found out that trimming hedges is illegal during nesting season when a local former "pillar of the community" and with a (former) religious title got in a firm to trim his hedge.

They did NOT check for nesting birds!!!! I saw quite a few feathers on the ground on the other side of the hedge (ie the one accessible to the public) after the massacre. Though - somehow or other - the local policeman I called round to inspect those feathers and "have a word" with the culprit needed a good eyesight test - as he was apparently unable to spot them.......hmmmmm....(though this is an area where people in the wrong are sometimes deemed to be "in the right" because they are regarded as being "well-respected locals"....) and the law etc is ignored to suit them.

If it’s illegal that’s your answer and I wouldn’t trust a hedge cutter who didn’t know the law.

find someone else to wait you are doing the right thing having it cut back so preditors and big bird can't steal baby birds

A lot of hedge/tree trimming is not recommended until bird nesting season is well over. My neighbour had to have his hedge trimmed only yesterday as dangerous when trying to exit his driveway. He couldn't see pasf the thick hedge. Doubt he will be charged with illegal act. Check the hedge for any sign of nesting and if clear get it cut.

I understand that it is illegal to cut hedges during nesting season - we have the same situation and wait till Autumn to get them cut.

It is NOT illegal to cut hedges during nesting season. It IS illegal to disturb nesting birds, damage nests, etc. If you check the hedge carefully and find no nests which are in the process of being built or are actually being used then you may cut the hedge; however, if it's a very thick hedge it might be difficult to be certain there are no nests