GARDENINGYOU might be getting frustrated by straggly foliage or unruly tree branches, which appear to be taking over your garden, but the RSPB is asking that you hold back on the trimming.
It points to the danger of disturbing late nesting birds
RSPB South East media officer, Sophie McCallum, said: "You can save yourself a job and wait for a few weeks, ideally until late September at the earliest.
"Most garden birds breed between March and August but some species will be on their nests until late into September."
If maintenance is unavoidable at this time, the RSPB asks that gardeners, local authorities and contractors consider nesting birds and do preliminary inspections.
In the garden, a gentle trim of straggly branches or bramble with secateurs or shears will do no harm but a savage cutback with petrol or electric trimmers probably will, if birds are on the nest.
For more information on gardening for wildlife visit www.rspb.org.uk/hfw