Exploring The Benefit Of Hedges To Birdlife

One can’t place a value on beauty and purpose when it comes to nature. Everything has a purpose and function when dealing with the aspects of the great outdoors. Sometimes, those things which appear to have the least amount of significance, is what others need the most. No one takes the time to look at the benefit of hedges to birdlife, when they observe these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.

Hedgerows are very significant when it comes to wildlife. It is known that they support 80 percent of birds from the woodland, not to mention about half of mammals and over 25 percent of butterflies. Ditches and banks that are commonly linked to hedges provide a place for reptiles, frogs, and other amphibians to live.

The maintenance of hedge heights is of extreme importance, because they support many types of birds and their dwelling tendencies. For example, blackbirds and greenfinches may rest above ground level, while robins, whitethroats, and wrens nest on lower levels. Birds such as grey partridges use grass from the bottom of the hedgerow in which to rest. Managing a hedgerow with a grassy verge at the bottom is very important. It provides a grassy cover for all animals.

Field margins and hedgerows with grassy bottoms are of extreme importance because they provide insect larvae for baby birds to feed upon as well as nesting material. All types of wild flowers and grass grow on a hedge and helps to conceal nests from approaching predators. During the winter months, hedgerows serve as roosting and feeding sites for local bids and visiting birds such as the redwing.

Hedges that provide plenty of cover and material for birds are the best. However, there should be a variety of shapes and sizes that extend to woody areas. Hedgerows that contain a large number of woody species are good because they can support more birds.

Trees such as the oak are excellent because they also support a huge variety of insects and are amazing as song posts. Trees that are older in nature have lots of wholes which provide places of rest for bats, owls, and kestrels.

Dead timber is an excellent source of food for insects and are usually left in the hedges. It is better when there is a huge variety of trees and shrubs. Nectar is provided by different species of flowers that also attract more insects, which of course, attracts more birds. These flowers will also supply a lot of berries that will attract other wild life.

Hedges are so very important because it provides a wonderful habitat for birds. It provides, food, safety, as well as shelter. Depending upon the seasons, many different types of birds will become regular visitors and eventually build their own residence. Also, the more birds that are attracted, the more one can learn and observe the different variety of birds right in one’s own backyard. Hedges not only are of value to birds, insects, and amphibians, but are also a great source of education for the human species.