Field And Stream

The vital importance of our hedgerows

By Niina Silvennoinen, Dorset Wildlife Trust volunteer

The tranquility of sunny fields, chirping linnets and buzzing bees amidst the familiar patchwork of hedgerows – it’s a quintessential summer scene in north Dorset. Hedgerows are such an integral part of our landscape that one could be forgiven, while recognising their beauty, for overlooking their overall importance. Yet their cultural, historic and ecological significance can hardly be overstated. Most British hedgerows are a few hundred years old, but some date back all the way to the Bronze Age. Traditionally built to form boundaries and prevent cattle from escaping, hedgerows have evolved into havens for biodiversity, increasingly also having a role in preventing soil loss and decreasing carbon. Hedgerows are created with a range of shrubs, trees and flowers, and hide a surprising number of our best loved woodland species. These include hedgehogs and dormice, who use them as wildlife corridors, while finding food and shelter. The changing colours across the seasons mark a range of food sources, from the hawthorn’s creamy white, nectar rich blossoms in May to its bright red berries in the early autumn. Other common hedging plants include blackthorn, hazel, bramble and honeysuckle to name but a few, providing a wealth of nutrition, nesting space and protection for wildlife from birds and mammals to insects, such as the rare brown hairstreak butterfly. It is estimated that about half of Britain’s hedgerows have been lost since the middle of 20th century, and the current estimate for the combined length of hedges is around 500,000km. Many hedgerows are protected by law, but today, neglect and poor management are major problems and many of the UK’s hedgerows are in poor condition as a result of the decline of traditional management techniques like hedgelaying. The Blackmore Vale has a long, rich history of hedgelaying, and hedgerows are an essential part of its pastoral landscape. To learn about creating your own hedgerow for wildlife, go to

A brown hairstreak butterfly Pic: Philip Precey A linnet Pic: Amy Lewis

dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/WildlifeHedge

Springtime brings some welcome returns

THE FIELD

with Tria Stebbing

What glorious up and down weather we have now. The lambs have gone from basking in the sun to sheltering from the biting wind in less than 24 hours –such is the nature of farming. Luckily, they are growing fast now and can cope with the sudden change of temperature. I am also pleased to report that Jed the poorly lamb has also grown strong, both he and his sister Jackie Rose appear to have benefitted from their sleepover under the kitchen table and run to greet us every day with enthusiasm. Two of the lambs have also enjoyed a visit to the local school, as the field is close by, we were able to take two of the older lambs in to visit the children in their springtime assembly. The children were given the task of choosing two “J” names for the ewe and ram and came up with Joseph and Jasmine. It will be an ongoing project for the children to be involved in all that the lambs need and to monitor their growth. New life is surrounding us at the field. The regular Canada geese are back with their young and the hedges that were laid in the Autumn are springing back to life with new shoots and blossom. Hedgerow flowers seem to be early this year and we are having to work fast to do some of the more mundane jobs on the smallholding before nature takes over again. Soon we will be unable to do much around the pond as the Early Spotted Orchids will be coming through, making a wonderful purple array of spikes between the grass shoots. There is a legend that the plant grew under Christ’s cross, and the leaves were spotted with the blood of Christ, hence local versions of the name being Gethsemane and cross flower, it can also be referred to as adder’s meat, kecklegs, and ironically goosey ganders. The weather is great for harrowing and rolling the field, which means playing sheep chess and moving the flock about. Harrowing pulls out the old dead growth and encourages the new growth which is also helped by rolling. Rolling firms up the ground and gently crushes the crowns of the grass which encourage it to spread and grow quicker. Fingers crossed it warms up a bit soon, this dry spell has been great for getting everything done ….but look out for the blackthorn winter.

HEDGE LAYING, TOPPING & HAULAGE. Please phone Andrew 01747 855198