Hedges on farms need trimming regularly to encourage them to grow densely and to stop them growing into the field, reducing the land available for cropping.
Typically, a British hedge would have Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Field Maple, Beech and Privet growing in it. Each plant attracts different nesting birds:
Hawthorn - Blackbirds, Thrushes and Bullfinches.
Blackthorn - Song Thrushes, Yellow Hammers and White Throats.
Field Maple - Chaffinches, Dunnocks and Robins.
Beech - Great Tits, Blue Tits and Black Caps.
Privet - Blackbirds, Sparrows and Wrens.
So as not to disturb nesting birds, hedges are not allowed to be cut from 1st march until 1st September.
So only 3 days to go until the flail is put away until next year!