Hedgerows and Treelines ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT Poor management of hedgerows is a contributory factor in the decline of the length and quality of hedgerows in Tayside. A recent survey of farmers in England suggests that hedges are not managed to best effect and anecdotal information suggests the same is true of hedgerows in Tayside. In England 80% of hedges were trimmed annually although most land managers were aware that less frequent trimming is better for wildlife. Only 6% of hedges were trimmed in January / February the recommended month for carrying out work. The greatest variety of birds will be found in dense hedges at least 2m tall, although for birds to breed successfully hedges need to be 1.4m tall and at least 1.2m wide so that nests can be hidden from predators. A good mix of shrub species will provide winter food for a variety of birds, provided the hedges are trimmed every second year and in late winter. Hedges also provide cover for flocks of finches feeding on winter stubble. Tall roadside hedges on upland habitats and grassland will also deter Barn owls flying into the path of traffic.
CURRENT FACTORS CAUSING LOSS OR DECLINE Field enlargement has been the main factor resulting in loss of boundary features. Current economic factors in farming mean that the majority of new hedge planting will be carried out only with financial assistance. The almost universal use of stock fencing as a means of retaining stock has meant that hedges as stock-proof barriers are no longer necessary and therefore may be lost. The majority of farmland hedges are cut on a yearly basis, generally in late summer. This management results in a gradual decline in the quality of hedgerows as well as greatly reducing the number of berries left as food for birds throughout the winter months. Farm operations can often have an impact on hedgerows. Spray drift and fertilisers in hedge bottoms can often encourage undesirable species such as Cleavers Galium aparine. Ploughing too close to the hedge can damage roots thus weakening plants and hedgerow trees. Lack of replacement of fallen hedgerow trees. Case Study Cockerstone Farm Cockerstone Farm is a mixed farm 7 miles northwest of Perth. The 131 hectare farm has a range of livestock and arable crops. It is part of the SNH / Eagle Star Strathord Estate Initiative, a project set up to demonstrate good practice in the creation and management of on-farm habitats for conservation. It was agreed that the farm would provide an opportunity to demonstrate how an agrienvironmental scheme could benefit an average family farm and to test different management options and prescriptions which could inform future replacements for existing schemes. The project, starting in late 2002, will also look at alternative methods and criteria for the payment to farmers for environmental management and any training requirements that may be required to achieve this. One of the aspects the project will focus on is hedgerows and their management. As part of the scheme 360m of old ‘gappy’ hedge will be coppiced to provide young vigorous stems to rejuvenate the hedge. Other work will include 450m of new hedge planting. Different techniques of establishment and management will be tried and demonstrated. MAIN THREATS TO KEY SPECIES Bat spp. Loss and fragmentation of hedgerows, especially hedge ‘flyways’ and wildlife corridors. Removal of mature trees used as roosts. UK Importance of Tayside population: moderate Song thrush Removal of mature trees leads to loss of song posts and territory boundaries. Reliant on a good source of food throughout the winter, especially insects, berries and fallen fruit. UK Importance of Tayside population: moderate Linnet Inappropriate hedge management will remove hedge-top perches the birds use during breeding. Winter flocks rely on ground feeding in fields; during the summer they rely on hedges for insects. UK Importance of Tayside population: moderate Tree sparrow Loss of nesting sites when mature trees are removed or hedges over-trimmed. Winter flocks rely on ground feeding in fields; during the summer they rely on hedges for insects. UK Importance of Tayside population: moderate Native Tree spp. (inc. oak, ash, holly and hawthorn) Damage to tree roots because of ploughing too close to hedges. Inappropriate hedge management damages health of hedge and destroys young standard trees. Inappropriate removal of standing dead wood or tidying away of fallen trees from field corners. UK Importance of Tayside population: small OPPORTUNITIES AND CURRENT ACTION The Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS) introduced in 2001 to replace the Countryside Premium Scheme includes options for: the planting of new hedgerows management of existing hedgerows management of extended hedges The Scheme, given adequate funding, provides the best opportunity to improve the amount and quality of hedgerows throughout Tayside. If agreement holders under the previous Countryside Premium Scheme are given the option of continuing the positive management of options they have already started (including hedgerow creation and management), the biodiversity benefits will continue. Both FWAG and SAC employ advisers who can provide farmers with advice on how to manage hedgerows for biodiversity. Some of this advice is available free of charge to the farmer or landowner. OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS Objectives Targets 1 Prevent further decline in the length and quality of hedgerows and treelines in Tayside. No decline in length and quality of hedgerows after 2010. 2 Identify the true extent and quality of hedgerows in Tayside. Monitor hedgerow loss as well as levels of new planting. Identify and begin monitoring by 2005. 3 Encourage appropriate management to maintain and enhance hedgerow quality. Inform and educate farmers and land managers as well as providing training to operators carrying out hedge cutting. Set up regular training courses and a co-ordinated awareness-raising programme by 2003. 4 Aim to have a significant percentage of hedgerows under good management by 2010. 25% of hedgerows under positive management 5 Restore past hedgerow lines and create new hedges to link existing habitat features. Encourage the use of agri-environment schemes to plant new hedges and extended hedges where appropriate. Aim to have 50% of farms in Tayside entered into an agri-environment scheme containing some new hedgerow creation. Stakeholders Landowners (including commercial landowners), land managers, contractors, road and rail consultants, advisory bodies, government bodies, general public. Hedgerows - F3 PAGE 1 Hedgerows - F3 PAGE 2 Hedgerows - F3 PAGE 3
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