Widespread removal of ditches has changed the face of Ireland enormously and we continue to lose up to 6,000km of hedgerows every year. If the weather is any way kind during Easter, people will be enjoying the outdoors and breathing the bracing spring air. They will be walking and driving past hedges, but do many stop and think about the riches they contain? As well as providing safe nesting for birds, hedges have many other important benefits for plants and animals. Hedgerows also provide farm animals with shelter.

Source: Irish Examiner April 02, 2026 14:00 UTC