Hunting Hall’s hedges had been neglected for many years. They had grown taller than our neighbours’ hedges and were full of holes. Now we are trying to improve these important wildlife habitats.

We have cut these hedges into an A shape, retaining the height, but allowing light to reach all sides of the plants. Gaps have been filled with new hedging plants. This mix of hedge-types is preferred by wildlife. Some birds, such as the yellowhammer, prefer shorter, dense hedging, but a redstart had chosen to nest in a hole in an old mature hawthorn.

The most common type of hedge plant around the farm is hawthorn, but a variety of plants and be found in these very old hedges: blackthorn, honeysuckle, crab-apple, different types of willow, dog rose and bramble.

In early spring you can see clumps of white blossom on bare spiky branches of blackthorn. Later, the tall old hawthorn hedges are covered in drifts of white May blossom. They are quite spectacular!