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Hedges and wildlife photographs

Shrubs and trees (leaves and flowers)

The cones and leaves of our native alder, Alnus glutinosa.

Alder

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Aspen, a native poplar (Populus termula) occasionally found in hedges, often turns brilliant yellows and reds in the autumn

Aspen

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The female catkins of the aspen tree. Aspen trees are either male or female;

Aspen catkins

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The characteristic rounded shape of the aspen leaf. Note flattened leaf stalk which explain why the leaves qiver in the slightest breeze.

Aspen leaf

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The female catkins of the aspen tree. Aspen trees are either male or female;

Aspen catkins

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Beech leaves

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Downy birch (Betula pubescens) twig. Note downy hairs on twig which give the tree its name and separate it from the silver birch (Betula pendula)

Downy birch

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Silver birch. Note hairless twig, separating this species from the downy birch (Betula pubescens)

Silver birch

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In April, blackthorn can be covered in white blossom provided it has not been cut recently. Later the pollinated flowers will produce sloes.

Blackthorn flowers

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In April, blackthorn can be covered in white blossom provided it has not been cut last recently. Later the pollinated flowers will produce sloes.

Blackthorn flowers

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Wild cherry (Prunus avium) leaves

Wild cherry

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The beautiful flowers of the crab apple (Mallus sylvestris), a tree often found in hedgerows.

Crab apple

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The Devonian whitebeam is a rare tree found in southern Britain and nowhere else in the world. Also known as French Hales, it occurs in Devon hedges.

Devonian whitebeam

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Elm used to be a major tree in the British lansdscape but mature specimens are now rare due to Dutch elm disease. However, small trees and suckering growth are still common. This is the English Elm, Ulmus procera. Note that leaves on mature growth and on suckers are different.

English elm

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Elm used to be a major tree in the British lansdscape but mature specimens are now rare due to Dutch elm disease. However, small trees and suckering growth are still common. This is the English Elm, Ulmus procera. Note that leaves on mature growth and on suckers are different, but they are usually rough on the surface..

English elm

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The smooth leaved elm (Ulmus minor) is a frequent plant in hedgerows in some parts of the country. Note the glossy leaves.

Smooth-leaved elm

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The English oak (Quercus robur) is one of two native oak species. The other is the Sessile, or Durmast, oak (Quercus petraea).

English oak

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European gorse (Ulex europaeus) is often found in hedges, particularly in coastal hedges in Devon and Cornwall.

Gorse flowers

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The guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus) is a frequent shrub in hedges on more acid soils.

Guelder-rose

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The flowers of the hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) are known as May blossom since they appear in that month. Later they develop into red berries known as haws.

May blossom

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Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) can be locally common in hedges, particularly in the south-east.

Hornbeam

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Ivy (Hedera helix) can frequently be found climbing up hedgerow trees and shrubs. It is not parasitic and causes little damage to its host. The flowers are very good for insects, especially hoverflies, and the berries provide very valuable late winter food for many birds.

Ivy

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The wild pear (Pyrus pyraster) is a rather rare tree sometimes found in hedgerows. The fruit are unfortunately inedible.

Wild pear

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The Wild Service tree (Sorbus torminalis) is occasionally found in ancient hedgerows.

Wild service

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The Wild Service tree (Sorbus torminalis) is occasionally found in ancient hedgerows.

Wild service

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The eared willow (Salix aurita) is occasionally found in hedgerows growing on wetter soils in the West country. Note the large ear-like growths, or auricles, at the junction between leaf stalk and twig.

Eared willow

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The goat willow (Salix capraea) is fairly frequent in hedges on wet soils. Note rather large roundish leaves.

Goat willow

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The grey willow (Salix cinerea) is the commonest willow, or sallow or withy, found in hedgerows. Like the other species, it picks out wetter soils.

Grey willow

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Pussy willow is the term given to male grey and goat willows when they are flowering, producing masses of these colourful catkins.

Pussy willow

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Willows, like this female grey willow (Salix cinerea), can produce masses of seeds, each supported by a plume of white down, in the early summer. They can drift in the wind a long from their parent plant.

Seeding willow

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Hawthorn blossom, Dave Key, Natural England

Hawthorn blossom

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Hawthorn berries and leaves, Emily Ledder, Natural England

Hawthorn berries

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Blackthorn berries (sloes) and leaves, Emily Ledder, Natural England

Blackthorn berries

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Blackthorn berries (sloes) and leaves, Emily Ledder, Natural England

Blackthorn berries

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Hawthorn berries and leaves, Emily Ledder, Natural England

Hawthorn berries

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Hawthorn berries and leaves, Emily Ledder, Natural England

Hawthorn berries

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Berries, nuts, keys and fruits

Autumn berries in a hedgerow showing rich food source for birds

Autumn berries

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Alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus) berries

Alder buckthorn

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Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) keys

Ash keys

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Black bryony (Tamus communis) berries

Black bryony

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Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) berries, known as sloes

Sloes

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Blackberries, the fruits of Bramble (Rubus fruticosus)

Blackberries

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Bullace (Prunbus domestica), a type of wild plum, fruits

Wild plum

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Crab apple (Malus domestica) apples

Crab apples

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Elderberries, the berries of the elder bush (Sambucus nigra)

Elderberries

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Acorns from English, or Pedunculate, oak (Quercus robur)

Acorns

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Guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus) berries

Guelder-rose

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Guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus) berries

Guelder-rose

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A hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) tree laden with haws

Haws

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Haws, the berry of the hawthorn tree (Crataegus monogyna)

Haws

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The nut of the hazel tree (Corylus avellana)

Hazel nut

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Berries of the holly tree (Ilex aquifolium)

Holly berries

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Honeycuskle (Lonicera periclymenun) berries

Honeysuckle

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Wild pear (Pyrus pyraster) fruits

Wild pear

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Plymouth pear (Pyrus cordata) a very rare and protected tree that occurs in hedges in Devon and Cornwall

Plymouth pear

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Hips, the fruits of dog rose, Rosa canina

Rose hips

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Hips, the fruits of dog rose, Rosa canina

Rose hips

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Hips, the fruits of field rose, Rosa arvensis

Rose hips

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Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) berries

Rowan berries

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Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) berries

Spindle berries

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Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) berries

Spindle berries

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Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) keys

Sycamore keys

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Flowers (herbs)

Dog Rose - Rosa canina - image Durham Hedgerow Partnership

Dog Rose

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Dog violet (Viola canina), often found in spring on hedge banks.

Violet

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Early purple orchid (Orchis mascula) - an orchid that often occurs on hedge banks in the West Country, flowering in late April and early May

Early purple orchid

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Bluebell, red campion and greater stitchwort in full flower on a Devon hedge bank, West Devon, May 2007

Hedge flowers

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Bluebell, red campion and greater stitchwort in full flower on a Devon hedge bank, West Devon, May 2008

Hedge flowers

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Buttercups and greater stitchwort flowering on Devon hedge bank, West Devon, May 2007

Hedge flowers

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Honeysuckle flower, a source of nectar and nourishment for many insects and even dormice.

Honeysuckle

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Primroses flower on the side of a Devon hedge.

Primrose

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Ramsoms (Allium ursinum), or Wild Garlic, in flower on a Devon hedge bank.

Ramsoms

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Tufted vetch (Vicia cracca) and meadowseet (Filipendula ulmaria) in flower beside Devon hedge

Tufted vetch

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Mammals

A breeding-sized dormouse nest found low down in a hedge in October, in West Devon

Dormouse nest

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A breeding-size nest in densely forked blackthorn where a hedge has been cut with a flail mower. Blackthorn is a favoured nesting shrub, particularly at the cut line. Locks Park Farm, West Devon

Dormouse nest

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A breeding-size nest in densely forked blackthorn where a hedge has been cut with a flail mower. Blackthorn is a favoured nesting shrub, particularly at the cut line. Note that the nest has been camouflaged by green leaves taken from surrounding plants, turning grey with age. Locks Park Farm, West Devon

Dormouse nest

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A hedge regularly occupied by dormice on Locks Park Farm, West Devon. The holly bush in the centre of the photo, to one side of the hedge, is a favoured breeding spot, containing nests in 3 out of 5 years.

Dormouse hedge

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A breeding nest in the bramble margin alongside a hedge. Where densely branched throny or prickly shrubs are not available, dormice will build their nests in bramble and rose margins. Three young dormice later emerged from this nest. Locks Park Farm, West Devon

Dormouse nest

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A dormouse nest in a soft rush (Juncus effusus) clump growing close to the edge of a hedge. An adult emerged from this nest. Note how well it is disguised with a loose covering of bramble leaves. Locks Park Farm, West Devon

Dormouse nest

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An adult dormouse in a hedge peering out from behind leaves to watch the photographer, at Locks Park Farm, West Devon

Dormouse

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Two young dormice disturbed from their nearby nest in a hedge at Locks Park Farm, West Devon They soon returned to their nest.

Young dormice

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A young dormouse freezes motionless near its nest in a species-rich hedge. Locks Park Farm, West Devon

Young dormouse

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A young dormouse returns to its nest in a hedge at Locks Park Farm, West Devon

Young dormouse

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Birds

Chaffinch nest with eggs in forked branches of blackthorn created by flail mowing

Chaffinch nest

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Chiffchaff nest with eggs in grass tussock at base on hedge

Chiffchaff nest

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Sog thrush nest with well-grown chicks beside earth hedge bank.

Song thrush nest

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Butterflies, moths and other insects

Brown hairstreak butterfly on fleabane. Locks Park Farm, Devon. The adults lay their eggs on the new growth of blackthorn, often in hedges. Numbers have decreased considerably as a result of flail mowing hedges every year.

Brown hairstreak

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Brown hairstreak caterpillar on blackthorn, final instar. Locks Park Farm, Hatherleigh

Brown hairstreak

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Burnished brass moth

Burnished brass

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Elephant hawkmoth caterpillar. Alhtough this one is feeding on fuschia in a garden, they commonly feed on willowherbs in hedges

Elephant hawkmoth

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Elephant hawkmoth

Elephant hawkmoth

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Caterpillar of the Eyed hawkmoth. This species feeds on willows and occasionally apples, often in hedges.

Eyed hawkmoth

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Eyed hawkmoth

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The caterpillar of the Garden tiger moth. These caterpillars are sometimes known as woolly bears. They feed on a wide range of herbs, including nettles and docks, and are often found in hedges. They are becoming scarce in southern England now, possibly because of global warming.

Garden tiger

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Garden tiger moth

Garden tiger

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Gatekeeper, or hedge brown, butterfly

Gatekeeper

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Gatekeeper, or hedge brown, butterfly

Gatekeeper

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Hedge rustic moth, a species that is declining very rapidly in numbers across sourthern Britain

Hedge rustic

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Caterpillar of the lappet moth. This species feeds on blackthorn and hawthorn in hedges.

Lappet moth

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Lappet moth, a superb mimic of dead leaves and a species which frequents large hedgerows.

Lappet moth

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A spectacular micro-moth, with very long antennaw, which can often be seen daning up and down in sunny patches in tall hedgerows during the day

Long-horn moth

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Oak eggar

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Caterpillar of the Privet Hawkmoth, which can be found on privet hedges, often in gardens, as well as on ash and lilac.

Privet hawkmoth

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Privet hawkmoth, one or our largest moths and one associated with hedges and gardens.

Privet hawkmoth

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Purple hairstreak butterfly. This attractive butterfly can often be seen flying high up around oak and ash trees in hedgerows during July and August.

Purple hairstreak

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Caterpillar of the purple hairstreak butterfly. This species feeds on oak.

Purple hairstreak

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Purple hairstreak butterfly. This attractive butterfly can often be seen flying high up around oak and ash trees in hedgerows during July and August.

Purple hairstreak

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Puss moth

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Caterpillar of the puss moth. This spectacular caterpillar feeds on willows and polars, often in tall hedges.

Puss moth

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Red admiral. The caterpillars of this butterfly feed on nettles, often alongside hedges.

Red admiral

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The caterpillars of the Small eggar feed mainly on blackthorn and hawthorn in hedges. When young, between April and July, they live gregariously in dense silk tents which can be very conspicuous. Feamles prefer to lay their eggs on dense but incut hedges. The species has declined in number and range significantly over recent decades, porbably becuase so many hedges are cut every year.

Small eggar

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Swallow-tail moth. The caterpilars of this large and common moth feed on a range so shrubs, often in hedgerows.

Swallow-tailed moth

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Brimstone butterfly feeding on a thistle, Robert Goodison, Natural England

Brimstone butterfly

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Brown Hairstreak butterfly, Butterfly Conservation

Brown Hairstreak

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Other wildlife

A woodland toadstool occasionaly found alongside mature hedges.

Amethyst deceiver

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A damselfly frequently found resting on hedges near fast flowing streams and rivers.

Beautiful demoiselle

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A male carder bee, Bombus pascuorum, on a greater bird's-foot trefoil flower.

Carder bee

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