At Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital, we are dedicated to protecting local wildlife, including hedgehogs, birds, and small mammals. One of the key ways to help these species thrive is by maintaining healthy habitats for wildlife such as hedgerows. These natural borders serve as corridors, offering essential shelter, food, and nesting spaces for a wide variety of wildlife.
Why Hedgerow Management Matters
Hedgerows are crucial habitats, acting as safe havens for species like hedgehogs, who use them for protection and nesting. They also provide food sources for pollinators like bees and butterflies, and act as natural corridors, allowing animals to move safely between different areas. Without well-managed hedges, these corridors can break down, leaving species vulnerable to predators and environmental changes.
Hedgehogs, for instance, often suffer from habitat loss due to urban development. However, well-maintained hedgerows offer them an ideal environment, rich with insects to eat and sheltered areas for hibernation. Similarly, birds like wrens, blackbirds, and robins use dense, well-trimmed hedges for nesting, while small mammals such as field mice and shrews benefit from the cover they provide.
Best Practices for Hedgerow Maintenance
Trim at the Right Time: The best time to trim hedges is during late winter (January to February), when birds are not nesting. Always check for hibernating hedgehogs before trimming. This reduces disruption to the wildlife that depends on these areas.
Create Diverse Hedges: Encourage a mixture of native species, like hawthorn, blackthorn, and hazel. This diversity benefits a range of wildlife, offering food, nesting material, and protection. For instance, flowering plants provide nectar for bees, while berry-producing shrubs feed birds and mammals.
Hedge-laying for Longevity: Traditional hedge-laying encourages thick, robust growth, ensuring the hedge remains healthy for many years. This practice is particularly beneficial for providing dense cover for wildlife, as laid hedges develop into richer, more intricate habitats.
Leave Some Untrimmed Areas: Allowing some parts of your hedge to grow without trimming for a year or two creates undisturbed zones where wildlife can thrive, particularly beneficial for hedgehogs during hibernation or when raising their young.
Install Hedgehog Highways: One simple and impactful way to support hedgehog populations is by creating “Hedgehog Walkways” — small gaps in garden fences or walls that allow hedgehogs to roam freely between different areas of hedgerows in search of food and shelter. We sell walkway signs to put in your garden to prevent the hole from getting blocked. If you do not have hedges but have fences or walls then installing a 13x13 cm hole in your fence could make a huge difference.
Hedgerows Help Wildlife Thrive
Hedgerows aren’t just about plants – they are crucial to maintaining vibrant ecosystems. At Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital, we often care for injured or displaced hedgehogs and birds. Many of these animals rely on healthy, intact hedgerows for survival. You can help ensure these habitats remain safe and welcoming by properly managing the hedgerows on your property or by joining local conservation efforts.
How You Can Help
By supporting local conservation initiatives or volunteering with us, you can help ensure that hedgehogs, birds, and other wildlife continue to have access to safe, natural habitats. Join us in our mission to create wildlife-friendly spaces by helping to plant, restore, and manage native hedgerows.
We offer fun and engaging school visits or workshops to encourage young people to explore the natural world and feel inspired to respect and protect our precious wildlife. We also offer community group talks and presentations. If you are interested to find out more then take a look at our dedicated outreach page.
At Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital, we’re passionate about wildlife conservation and are always looking for community members to get involved. Visit our other BLOG pages or book an OUTREACH VISIT to learn how you can contribute to preserving the natural landscapes that help wildlife thrive.
By Asha Park
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