Anja Murray: Neat and tidy isn't always best when it comes to hedgerows

For all that we love our hedges, there’s a great deal of room for improvement in how well we could be managing them

Anja Murray: "Considering that one-third of native bee species in Ireland are now threatened with extinction here, allowing hedgerows to flower wherever possible is a basic offering for their needs. Hedges in flower begin with blackthorn and willow catkins in February and March; followed by rowan and hawthorn blossom in May; and crab apple, elder, and dog rose in June. Undisturbed banks and verges also provide nesting opportunities for many wild bee species and other declining invertebrates."

As a nation, we love our hedgerows almost as much as we love spuds. Like with potatoes, we never seem to bore of the topic of hedges, whether it's celebrating the may blossom at the start of summer; the bounty of hedgerow fruits as Autumn unfolds; or the upset caused by badly flailed roadside hedges. Just as everyone has their own take on what constitutes the best kind of potato or the best way to cook them, hedges come in all shapes and sizes and there are many ways to manage a hedge, or not. Personal preference differs — although for wildlife, some hedges are definitely better than others.

Old townland boundary hedges, many of which have been around since medieval times, are some of the most species-rich hedges, in addition to being of historical significance in the landscape. It's easy enough to ‘get your eye in’ and learn to recognise a townland boundary hedge, as they tend to have especially large banks, sometimes beautifully constructed with stone facing. The drainage ditches running alongside the banks are generally dug deep.