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Episode 5: The Silent Hedge
Episode 5: The Silent Hedge
As part of the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme that destroyed the avenue of mature sycamore trees discussed in Episodes 1 and 2: Mollie-Rose Way, a mature, well-established and well-loved hawthorn hedge was also destroyed. In the 2018 environmental screening report that concluded the scheme would not require an Environmental Impact Assessment, the hedge was described as “ornamental planting” of “negligible to low local importance”. Locally, the hedge was known as The Singing Hedge because it was full of chattering house sparrows, a species included on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red List of birds in “critical decline” and “in most urgent need of our help”. Sparrows have been on the Red List since at least 2002.
The Singing Hedge grew 40 metres along the length of a car park in parallel to a wire fence covered in evergreen and deciduous climbers. The hedge and the fence vegetation acted in tandem to provide safety, food and shelter for the sparrows living in this urban patch of land. In this episode, we talk to Peter Cush, known as “the nature man”, about his decades-long affection and regard for the sparrows. We talk about his response to the destruction of the hedge, his persistent advocacy for the house sparrows and ongoing efforts to ensure the Department of Infrastructure replaces the hedge and restores the sparrows’ habitat.
Post Script
On Wednesday 8th February, the DfI met with Peter Cush at last to discuss their plans for replanting. The meeting was attended by local residents and politicians. Peter Cush’s multiple suggestions and solutions for reinstating the hedge were met with caution by DfI employees, who insisted that any replanting must not, under any circumstances, interfere with the sight lines required for cars to enter and exit the car park. DfI stressed repeatedly that vegetation must not affect any of the car parking spaces, and it could not be allowed to reduce the space people needed to access their car boots. DfI gave no priority at all to the needs of the Red Listed house sparrows.
On Monday 20th of March, the DfI contacted Peter with detailed plans stating "We are aiming to have planting of the hedging and trees along the wall, in the upper/Cutters carpark, completed within the next few weeks. Planting in the lower carpark and along the path towards the weir is programmed for later in the scheme". Peter and others welcome this development and will watch this proposed reinstatement with interest.
Links and resources
Belfast Tidal FAS Environmental Screening Report, Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Rivers, 23 August 2018, https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/infrastructure/btfas-es-report-drainage-eia-regulations-ni-2017.pdf
Birds of Conservation Concern 5 (2021) report summary https://www.rspb.org.uk/globalassets/downloads/bocc5/bocc5-report.pdf
What is the Red List for UK birds? https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/uk-conservation-status-explained/
Lynch, Connor Lynch. 2023. “Trees to be replanted at another location after removal from Stranmillis path for flood scheme.” https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/trees-replanted-another-location-after-26230459
Galbraith, Colin 2002. “The population status of birds in the UK: birds of conservation concern: 2002–2007”. Bird Populations 7: 173-179. https://www.birdpop.org/docs/journals/Volume-7/BPJ07-24_Galbraith.pdf
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By QUB Podcasting ServiceEpisode 5: The Silent Hedge
As part of the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme that destroyed the avenue of mature sycamore trees discussed in Episodes 1 and 2: Mollie-Rose Way, a mature, well-established and well-loved hawthorn hedge was also destroyed. In the 2018 environmental screening report that concluded the scheme would not require an Environmental Impact Assessment, the hedge was described as “ornamental planting” of “negligible to low local importance”. Locally, the hedge was known as The Singing Hedge because it was full of chattering house sparrows, a species included on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red List of birds in “critical decline” and “in most urgent need of our help”. Sparrows have been on the Red List since at least 2002.
The Singing Hedge grew 40 metres along the length of a car park in parallel to a wire fence covered in evergreen and deciduous climbers. The hedge and the fence vegetation acted in tandem to provide safety, food and shelter for the sparrows living in this urban patch of land. In this episode, we talk to Peter Cush, known as “the nature man”, about his decades-long affection and regard for the sparrows. We talk about his response to the destruction of the hedge, his persistent advocacy for the house sparrows and ongoing efforts to ensure the Department of Infrastructure replaces the hedge and restores the sparrows’ habitat.
Post Script
On Wednesday 8th February, the DfI met with Peter Cush at last to discuss their plans for replanting. The meeting was attended by local residents and politicians. Peter Cush’s multiple suggestions and solutions for reinstating the hedge were met with caution by DfI employees, who insisted that any replanting must not, under any circumstances, interfere with the sight lines required for cars to enter and exit the car park. DfI stressed repeatedly that vegetation must not affect any of the car parking spaces, and it could not be allowed to reduce the space people needed to access their car boots. DfI gave no priority at all to the needs of the Red Listed house sparrows.
On Monday 20th of March, the DfI contacted Peter with detailed plans stating "We are aiming to have planting of the hedging and trees along the wall, in the upper/Cutters carpark, completed within the next few weeks. Planting in the lower carpark and along the path towards the weir is programmed for later in the scheme". Peter and others welcome this development and will watch this proposed reinstatement with interest.
Links and resources
Belfast Tidal FAS Environmental Screening Report, Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Rivers, 23 August 2018, https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/infrastructure/btfas-es-report-drainage-eia-regulations-ni-2017.pdf
Birds of Conservation Concern 5 (2021) report summary https://www.rspb.org.uk/globalassets/downloads/bocc5/bocc5-report.pdf
What is the Red List for UK birds? https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/uk-conservation-status-explained/
Lynch, Connor Lynch. 2023. “Trees to be replanted at another location after removal from Stranmillis path for flood scheme.” https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/trees-replanted-another-location-after-26230459
Galbraith, Colin 2002. “The population status of birds in the UK: birds of conservation concern: 2002–2007”. Bird Populations 7: 173-179. https://www.birdpop.org/docs/journals/Volume-7/BPJ07-24_Galbraith.pdf