The Wildlife Hedge: Garden birds that like a hedge

While our last few posts have looked at specific species of hedge plants, many birds are not that fussy – for them a hedge is pretty much a hedge…

Consequently if the following birds live in your area, the chances are a garden hedge will help attract them whether it’s Beech, Common Box, Hornbeam, Cherry Laurel, Privet, Purple Copper Beech, Yew or even, as we’ve seen, a Leylandii. Here’s another chance to see our list of birds your hedge may attract. Those that nest in or around a hedge are in UPPER CASE BOLD.

• BLACKBIRD: Will nest in most hedges but only if there is at least one nearby tall tree from whose top it can perch and sing
• Blue Tit: Prefers to nest in tree holes and nest boxes
• BULLFINCH: Nests in taller hedges 4m+
• Chaffinch: Nests in a tree or a bush close to the trunk or a firm branch
• COMMON CHIFFCHAFF: Nests in concealed, dense undergrowth and low vegetation
• COAL TIT: Nests in a hole towards the base of a rotting tree-stump or in the ground
• DUNNOCK: Nests in medium or tall hedges (Pictured above)
• GARDEN WARBLER: Nests near the ground in dense vegetation. Despite its name, it rarely nests in gardens
• Goldfinch: Nests in the outer twigs of tall leafy trees
• Great Tit: Prefers to nest in a hole in a tree or a wall.
• GREENFINCH: Nests in evergreen or bushy plants
• House Sparrow: Prefers to nest in tree cavities and under eaves
• LESSER WHITETHROAT: Nests in medium/tall hedges
• LINNET: Nests in 2-3m hedges
• Long-tailed Tit: Builds a suspended nest low in gorse or bramble or high in the forks of tree branches
• ROBIN: Nests in thick, mixed hedging
• SONG THRUSH: Nests in bushes or trees
• WHITETHROAT: Nests in 2-3m hedges
• WREN: Ground-nesting in thick, mixed undergrowth
• YELLOW HAMMER: Nests in 2-3m hedges

View Our Recommended Hedges