Confused about the weather with frost one day and mild sunshine the next?

We're not the only ones thrown out of time by the weather as the UK's birds start to build their nests early.

The RSPB is urging farmers and gardeners to wield their hedge trimmers and shears with caution in the next few weeks as many birds may have settled into their nests uncharacteristically early.

February/March is usually an ideal time for cutting back garden hedges, trees and shrubs as nesting birds are yet to start building.

But many birds have begun to build their nests already, especially in thick or evergreen shrubs and climbers, and trimming them back would seriously disturb them.

RSPB NI spokesperson Claire Ferry said: "If you see birds flying about with beakfuls of twigs and dried leaves already, the chances are they have chosen a nest site nearby.

So before leaping into action in your garden with the sunny days please proceed with caution!

"It is illegal to intentionally damage or destroy active nests and most people wouldn't want to do that anyway. Check any potential sites before cutting and pruning and if you find a nest miss out that area to avoid disturbing the birds or exposing their nest."

For more information on wildlife gardening and nesting birds visit www.rspb.org.uk/wildlifegardening

A video showing how you can help the birds in your garden during the breeding season in available to view on the RSPB's video channel. Visit www.youtube.com/RSPBvideos to see it.