Hedgerows

Hawthorn (Sceach Gheal)

Picture shows Hawthorn

Original work carried out under contract to South Dublin County Council

Hawthorn (Sceach Gheal)
Original work carried out under contract to South Dublin County Council

Hawthorn (Sceach Gheal)

Picture shows Hawthorn

Original work carried out under contract to South Dublin County Council

Enlarge image

Modern agricultural methods have resulted in the removal of many of Ireland's rural hedgerow habitats. A notable feature of the majority of South Dublin's parkland landscape is the network of hedgerows, which have been retained and incorporated into the park from its original agricultural field pattern.
 

Hedgerows contain many shrub species normally found on the woodland edge, such as Dog Roses, Elder, Hawthorn, Blackberry, Wild Cherry and Blackthorn. Dog Roses (Feirdhrís) are a wild rose. The fruit, known as hips, are rich in Vitamin C. Blackberry (Dris) is a thorny, hedgerow shrub. Blackbirds, warblers and other birds eat the berries and the seeds are a food source for seed-eating birds, such as finches.

The heavily scented, white flowers of Hawthorn/Whitethorn (Sceach Gheal) attract insects and the autumn berries provide food for birds, mammals and insects.

Lords and Ladies (Cluas Chaoin)

Picture shows Lords and Ladies plant

Original work carried out under contract to South Dublin County Council

Lords and Ladies (Cluas Chaoin)
Original work carried out under contract to South Dublin County Council

Lords and Ladies (Cluas Chaoin)

Picture shows Lords and Ladies plant

Original work carried out under contract to South Dublin County Council

Enlarge image

Wild Cherry (Silíní Fiáin) is common in hedgerows. It is pollinated by insects and the flowers provide an early supply of nectar for bees and butterflies. Insects and birds feed on the sweet fruit.

Many of these hedgerow species form impenetrable thickets that are good for protecting nesting or roosting birds. The Wren (Dreoilín) is a tiny bird that feeds on a variety of small insects, spiders and seeds. Wrens breed in hedgerows. The male builds several dome-shaped nests and the female selects one in which to lay her eggs.

Blackbirds (Lon Dubh) and Song Thrushes (Smólach Ceoil) also rely on hedgerows for nesting. Song Thrushes are famous for their songs. They have a wide and varied diet, including snails, insects and worms. They feed on snails by beating them against a rock until the soft body of the snail is exposed. Song Thrushes eat a lot of fruit in the autumn, mostly from hedgerow bushes. Unfortunately, Song Thrush numbers have recently declined in Ireland.

Wildflowers and grasses flourish in hedgerows. They attract wildlife, particularly insects and add to the diversity and beauty of the area. Hedge Bindweed (Ialus Faíl) is a climber with twining stems found growing densely in hedges. Lords and Ladies (Chluas Chaoin) is a very distinctive wildflower common in shady hedgerow habitats. Formerly, starch from the tubers was used to starch laundry.

Badger (Broc)

Picture shows a Badger

Original work carried out under contract to South Dublin County Council

Badger (Broc)
Original work carried out under contract to South Dublin County Council

Badger (Broc)

Picture shows a Badger

Original work carried out under contract to South Dublin County Council

Enlarge image

Hedgehog (Gráinneóg)

Picture shows a Hedgehog

Original work carried out under contract to South Dublin County Council

Hedgehog (Gráinneóg)
Original work carried out under contract to South Dublin County Council

Hedgehog (Gráinneóg)

Picture shows a Hedgehog

Original work carried out under contract to South Dublin County Council

Enlarge image

Badgers find refuge in the hedgerows of Tymon Regional Park, Dodder Valley Regional Park, Liffey Valley and Ballymount Parks. The Badger (Broc) is found throughout Ireland, but as it is a nocturnal animal, it is rarely seen. Badgers are heavy, sturdy animals with strong limbs, which they use for digging underground burrows, known as sets. They are omnivores, eating mainly earthworms. Badgers have suffered much persecution and are protected under the Wildlife Act 1976 (Amendment) Act 2000 and internationally.

Hedgehogs are one of the mammals that inhabit the protective cover of the hedgerow. Hedgehogs (Grainneóg) are familiar, spiny mammals (with up to 7000 spines) found in open woodlands and hedgerows. If attacked, hedgehogs erect their spines and roll into a protective ball. They are nocturnal and eat mostly invertebrates, eggs, young mammals and carrion.

Predators, such as Long-eared Owls and foxes visit hedgerows to feed on small mammals and young birds. The Long-eared Owl (Ceann Cait) is a nocturnal, predatory bird that hunts a wide range of small mammals, including mice, rats and shrews. Pygmy Shrews (Dallóg Fhraoigh) are Ireland's smallest mammals, weighing only 5 grams. They are common in habitats with good cover and plenty of small invertebrates for them to forage for.