Hedgerow 🌿
A line of bushes and trees that acts as a boundary for a field, creating a safe wildlife corridor.
📄 Educational Handout Available
Download the printable infographic for this habitat.
Climate & Environment
Temperate. Hedgerows create microclimates (small pockets of unique weather), acting as windbreaks and retaining moisture in the soil.
Key Plants
Hawthorn, blackthorn, brambles, and wild roses.
💡 Fun Facts
- Hedgerows in the UK are often hundreds of years old and act as vital 'highways' for wildlife to travel safely between habitats.
- A single thick hedgerow can be home to nesting birds, hibernating hedgehogs, and thousands of insects all at the same time.
Key Creatures
Hazel dormouse
Muscardinus avellanarius
How it survives here:
Uses the continuous line of branches to travel safely above ground, finding berries and nuts without being seen by predators.
European hedgehog
How it survives here:
Rolls into a tight ball of sharp spines to protect itself from predators.
Yellowhammer
How it survives here:
Builds well-hidden cup nests deep within the thorny brambles to keep its chicks safe.
Robin
How it survives here:
Fiercely defends its territory and finds insects easily among the hedgerow roots.
Blue Tit
How it survives here:
An agile bird that hangs upside down to pick caterpillars off leaves.