I HAVE no problem with Ron Chadwick (“Man on a mission” – Advertiser, April 18) removing ivy from trees – it is a good idea – but now is not the time to do it. This is the peak time for many birds (and some of our mammals) to be building nests, and underneath ivy is a favourite location.

It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to “damage or destroy the nest of any wild birds while that nest is in use or being built”, so Ron and his friends may be breaking the law if they remove the ivy now.

But if they wait until October when the nesting season is over, they can hack away all they want.

STEVE DEELEY Swindon