Hello I am new here and just want to share my story.
I received a letter insisting I cut the hedge that borders a public footpath as it was overhanging & dangerous. See the story HERE
Then on Friday a team was sent byt the council to cut the hedge!! They were asked to stop. Then I was phoned by the council who wanted to visit with an ecologist!!
Result! The hedge was proven 'not guilty' LOL I was annoyed tho' when the ecologist tried looking inside the hedge & frightened a 'sitting' female blackbird who flew off squacking her head off!
So - what a waste of time for the council but good for my 12x200' hedge!!
this is the link:
www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/.../story.html
Good on you for standing up to the council! They seem to think they have free reign to destoy birds nests at will in some places.
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Well done for standing firm on this! Our advice is to avoid cutting hedges between March and August to avoid harming nesting birds, hopefully the council now realise this.
Cutting back overhanging branches and straggly bits in the autumn is OK if access is an issue but we suggest major hedge cutting be left until late winter so that birds have access to all the berries and fruit.
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
Well done Cyfrin!!
Just as a side issue, apart from birds, wildlife and dangerous overhanging branches, what is the best time for (and how often) should hedges be trimmed for their own health?
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Good question and there isn't a simple answer to cover all hedges given the number of diferent species used!
A typical mixed farm hedge (traditionally hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel and field maple are some of the common species found in hedgerows) are best cut in the winter on a two or three year rotation. This gives the berries a chance to develop on the second year growth.
Compare this regime to a lleylandii hedge which needs cutting more regularly otherwise it will take over, some people cut these twice a year as they are so prolific, but one cut in early spring (before March) or late autumn (after August) should keep it manageable, but check for nests first just in case some birds are nesting out of season.
As for all the other hedge varieties out there, have a look at the links here and here for a few general tips
Thank you Ian. That is very helpful.
Hi all,
I've split this thread so that we don't go too off topic from the thread starter, it would be good to hear from cyfrin2 about how the blackbirds are getting on now that the hedge has been saved from the councils clutches!
If you want to follow Sooty and his thoughts on how hedges should be managed you can on the 'Cutting hedges continued' thread
Hmm.... the Highway Authority is between a rock and a hard place here. It has it's general duty to "to assert and protect the rights of the public to the use and enjoyment” of paths in their area, and their duty of regard to "the purpose of conserving biodiversity". I'm not sure if there's a statutory "conflict resolution" mechanism for this one.
Every day a little more irate about bird of prey persecution, and I have a cat - Got a problem with that?
As JohnB says if the hedge in question was blocking a public right of way their is a need for it to be cut.At one time it was the landowners place to keep the pathways cleared or if the local authority did the work the could bill the owner for the work.Not sure of the standing now as I think the rulings may have changed since I did my training on that.If a member of the public hurt themselves on the hedge while using the path no doubt they would be chasing the council for compo.Maybe paths that are suspect to blockage by any growth on a regular basis should be cut back before the nesting season.This has happened on occasions in our local AONB to good effect,usually using volunteer labour so costing vey little.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can