Except for the nests of Golden Eagles and White-tailed Eagles which are protected all year round (as are Osprey nests in England) – an ‘old’ nest that is NOT being used by nesting birds is not protected by law. Some nests are used as roosting sites in winter (eg by wrens) so are still important, but unless they are being used as nests they are not protected. This also (unfortunately) applies to declining species like swifts that build nests in roof spaces.