Dead Hedging

This week volunteers have been hard at work creating a new dead hedge to act as a screen along Spigot Mere. This will help reduce disturbance to nesting birds that can be caused when pedestrians pass by.

Lots of different tasks went into making the hedge, including moving material for the hedge, putting points on the hedge posts to get them in the ground easier, installing the posts, and filling the hedge.

There was even time at the end of the day for a spot of birdwatching!

Dead hedges can be used to create natural-looking boundaries while also providing a wonderful habitat for insects. As time goes by this hedge will rot down and gorse will grow around it. Eventually a screen will be formed by the gorse, but until then, this hedge will do the job!

Ground nesting birds like Lapwing and Ringed Plover have been spotted around the pond in previous years, so keep a look out in the coming months! Spigot Mere can still be viewed from a hide on the edge of the pond, which is accessible by foot and wheelchair.