Durham Hedgerow Partnership – Darlington BC

Hedgerow restoration by laying & coppicing and interplanting ensures the long-term viability of the hedge by promoting vigorous re-growth from the base which creates a thick bushy stock proof barrier, and helps to retain their biodiversity value. Left unmanaged the hedge will become tall and gappy eventually growing into a line of trees. Thick, bushy hedgerows offer nest sites for UK Biodiversity Action Plan species, whilst thick, dense cover at the base of a hedge plays an important part in protecting nesting birds from predation.

Overall, the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species that may benefit from the hedgerow works carried out include Yellowhammers, Song thrushes, Bullfinch, Linnet, Tree sparrow, Barn Owls, Grey Partridge, Brown Hare, Great Crested Newts and the Common Pipistrelle, Natterer’s and Daubenton’s bats.