dog rose • Darin Smith

Features from Wildlife magazine Wildlife articles 2008 -- Spring 2008 -- ::Severn Barrage ::The Variety of life ::A year at Willsbridge ::Willsbridge comes of age ::Reaching out - Willsbridge ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2007 -- Autumn 2007 -- ::Thinking BIG ::Watery webs:the pond network ::Wildlife in the landscape ::Variety of life ::How to be a climate friend ::Seasonal stroll - Walborough ::Round the reserves -- Summer 2007 -- ::The Folly Farm appeal ::Weston Big Wood-biodiversity at its best ::The variety of life ::How to capture a butterfly ::How to get to know an orchid ::Seasonal stroll - WestonBigWood ::Reserves update -- Spring 2007 -- ::Folly Farm - a very special place ::Making a difference at Folly Farm ::How find the magic at Folly Farm ::Seasonal stroll at Folly Farm ::Magic spots at Folly Farm ::Batscapes ::Climate challenge ::Variety of Life - the Ponways project ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2006 -- Autumn 2006 -- ::The Severn Estuary ::Bird Watch results ::How to identify garden birds ::Making space for wildlife ::How does your garden grow? ::Round the reserves -- Summer 2006 -- ::Going for green ::Stand up and be counted ::Happy birthday NSLMP ::Holi day - a riot of spring colour ::Avon's species-rich grassland ::How to photograph dragonflies ::The Big Switch ::Round the reserves -- Spring 2006 -- ::How to identify winter water birds ::Make 2006 the year you... ::Invasive invasion ::Sowing the seeds: Willsbridge Mill ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2005 -- Autumn 2005 -- ::Indentify common funghi ::Build a hedgehog hideaway ::Big Bird Watch ::Champions for wildlife ::Round the reserves ::Seeds of the futre: Willsbridge Mill -- Summer 2005 -- ::Restoring Folly Farm ::How to become bee-friendly ::How to identify the butterflies of spring ::Save our seas ::The variety of life: hedgerows ::Round the reserves ::25 Ways to make a difference -- Spring 2005 -- ::The variety of life: water voles ::The Avon Biodiversity Action Plan ::How to take really good wildlife photos ::How to help your garden grow ::Round the reserves ::Seasonal strolls: Browns Folly ::Sowing the seeds: for wildlife for people ::Sowing the seeds: looking back

The variety of life

I provide...
Shelter for newts,
Homes for insects,
Motorways for bats,
Havens for hedgehogs,
Food for dormice.
What am I?
A hedgerow!

Hedgerows are not just part of our landscape, they make it!
Criss-crossing our countryside and towns, hedgerows look good, provide food for wildlife and humans, form windbreaks and prevent soil erosion, yet they're often overlooked. They don't quite compare with the majesty of an ancient woodland or the bright beauty of a wildflower meadow but nevertheless, hedges are one of the UK's most valuable wildlife reserves. Today, they are often the only green oasis in a desert of buildings and streets or intensively managed fields.

Hedgerows are a primary habitat for many species of conservation concern. They are especially important for invertebrates, birds, bats, dormice, reptiles and amphibians, such as great crested newt, and they provide an essential refuge for a great many woodland and farmland plants. Hedgerows are also very important as wildlife corridors, allowing species to move between blocks of other habitat that would otherwise be isolated. In a world where we are increasingly concerned about climate change and the effects this might have on species, maintaining and increasing the interconnections of our landscape is crucial.

Variety is the spice of life
The UK's hedges are estimated to stretch 450,000 km and would reach to the moon if placed end to end. Alarmingly, though, 25,000 km each year are being lost to development and intensive agriculture. The South West now has one of the highest concentrations of hedgerow in the UK and, happily, Avon has lost fewer hedgerows than many parts of Britain. But quality is as important as quantity if a hedge is to support wildlife and contribute fully to the beauty of our landscape.

What is a good hedge? As ever, 'variety is the spice of life'. A mixed native-species hedge with some tall old standard trees supports the most wildlife, simply because it provides the widest diversity of food and shelter. Older hedges are often most valuable since they contain old trees and produce lots of fruit and flowers as well as a wide hedge base. Good hedgerow management is crucial to its value - if a hedge is left uncut it will eventually turn into a row of straggly trees. If, on the other hand, it is cut too often or too severely it will be unable to produce fruit and flowers and the stress placed on a rootstock constantly required to produce new leaves from old wood will eventually cause the hedge to die. Sensitive management, often using traditional techniques, will provide a handsome hedge which benefits both wildlife and landowners.

Action for hedges
The enormous wildlife and landscape value of hedges in Avon was recognised by their inclusion in the Avon Biodiversity Action Plan. This plan links the actions of many of the organisations working around Avon to preserve and enhance our hedges. We're lucky in this area that there's lots happening to survey, manage, restore, plant and raise awareness about hedges. Here are just a few of the things that are going on.

AWT reserves
This winter the Estates Teams and the Wildlife Action Group volunteers have been very busy with hedgelaying and hedge restoration on many of our reserves. If you have the time, pop over to Netcott's Meadow or visit Folly Farm or Ashton Court where there are lovely examples of layed hedges. Alternatively, have a look at the restored hedges at Tickenham Ridge and on Weston Moor.

Field Boundaries Project
This project covers South Gloucestershire and B&NES and is funded by Heritage Lottery Fund. It has been running for the past three years and has involved hundreds of volunteers in surveying their local hedgerows and gathering wildlife and historical data and hedges that are over 400 years old have been found. The project has gathered records for literally thousands of hedges and a booklet about Hedges in South Gloucestershire has been produced. Call 01454 863776 for your free copy.
Batscapes

Another HLF funded project running in South Gloucestershire and B&NES, Batscapes is also concerned with hedges, beause of their importance to our rare horseshoe bats. Dan Merrett, Project Officer, is working alongside Craig Stenson, Biodiversity Officer at the Trust with the aim of getting hedgerows (and other important bat features such as grazed pasture) into good management, particularly around the greater horseshoe bat foraging zones at Brown's Folly.

North Somerset
Craig Stenson will also be working in the Mendips on a bat and dormouse project managed by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG). This project will similarly be concerned with hedgerows as an important feature for bats. Meanwhile, the North Somerset Wildlife Wardens are working to survey hedges around North Somerset - a massive task!

Hedgerow fortnight!
In February Sally Pattison (B&NES Field Boundaries Project) and Jenny Hayward (Avon Biodiversity Partnership) co-ordinated a fantastic fortnight of hedgerow events across the Avon area. Altogether there were 32 events run by 20 different individuals, groups and organisations. Despite the chilly weather, a grand total of more than 1000 people came along to the various events and as well as being great fun, this fortnight really helped to raise awareness of the importance of hedges in our landscape.
One lovely moment was when a small girl turned to her mum at an event at Willsbridge Mill and said earnestly 'Mummy, we've got to plant more hedges'. If you'd like to read more about the events visit . Thanks to everyone who took part or organised events!

How to get involved
If you'd like to get involved in surveying your local hedges simply visit www.avonbiodiversity.org.uk and download a survey form.

If you'd like to get involved in hedgelaying and other practical tasks on AWT reserves call Tim Curley on 0117 917 7270. Or why not got on a course? Details of courses can be found at:

BTCV, 0117 919 1624
South Gloucestershire Council Stuart Bardsley, 01454 863468
Wrington and Burrington Hedgelaying Society Mark Edwards, 01460 234222
National Hedgelaying Society Bruce Mayley 01959565678.

Contact the following Unitary Authorities for information about small grants for hedge planting and hedgerow maintenance, as well as other works for wildlife:

Bath & North East Somerset Jane Briggs 01225 477579
North Somerset Sam Jarvis or Susan Stangroom 01275 888 551
South Gloucestershire Stuart Bardsley 01454 863468.

What is the Avon BAP?
The Avon Biodiversity Action Plan is the first over-arching conservation strategy for the former county of Avon. It has a ten year timescale. The plan's production was led by the Trust and the three main aims of the plan are:

For further information contact Jenny Hayward, Avon Biodiversity Partnership co-ordinator, email jennyhayward@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk The Avon water vole species action plan is available on www.avon-biodiversity.org.uk