The importance of hedges for wildlife

21/11/2007 00:00:00 December 2006. Despite December being mild, it is still a hard time for UK wildlife, but hedges provide a vital source of fruit and nuts. Hedge management is important but the timing of this is critical says Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Kate Stokes from the Trust explains, ‘Hedges are a larder of fruit and nuts at this time of year. Even though much of the vegetation has died back, berries in the hedges provide a veritable feast for birds and mammals alike. Hedges need management but this is best left until January and early February, when the berries have finished and before birds start nesting’.

Berries are such an important food source that some birds will defend them and actively prevent other birds feeding on them. In December, mistle thrushes mainly feed on holly bushes and may even be completely dependant on them during severe weather. Defence of the berries reduces in the spring when they feed on other food sources and are preparing to breed. Other birds, such as garden favourites like blackbirds and redwings, will feed on holly berries too. Ivy berries are also a vital food source over the winter months and are eaten by a range of birds including blackcaps, a scarce wintering species. Haws and sloe berries are taken by fieldfares and song thrushes.

Hedges also provide essential food supplies for mammals such as the dormouse. Kate continues, ‘the dormouse is a declining species and rarely seen. In Cornwall where there is limited woodland, they are frequently found in hedges and road verge scrub. They would have traditionally been hibernating in December, but in milder weather will do so later. Holly berries, hazel nuts and acorns are particularly important food sources. Hedges also harbour numerous insects such as caterpillars and aphids that dormice feed on. Laws and regulations protect hedges, and birds that use hedges. It is illegal to disturb nesting birds and conservation organisations in Cornwall advise that hedge management is not carried out from March to September. Nic Harrison-White from the Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly explains, ‘The best time to do such work is in January and early February, to protect winter food sources and nesting birds. A mature hedge requires little management except occasional trimming, every 3 years or preferably as little as needed to keep it in shape and encourage healthy growth. Cutting only one side at a time ensures at least some over-wintering insects such as butterfly eggs will survive to emerge the following spring.

Hedges are important features for many reasons, providing food and cover for a range of species and acting as corridors which wildlife will use them to travel along to reach other habitats such as small, isolated woods. They provide cover for game birds and shelter for stock. They reduce wind speed which protects crops and can reduce soil erosion. They have landscape and historical value and are distinctive features of the Cornish, and much of the English, countryside.