The Biodiversity And Financial Value Of Scrub

Hawthorn, blackthorn, gorse, honeysuckle, dog rose, bushy willow and stunted hazel can all be classified as farm scrub.

Scrub is an important landscape feature and wildlife resource. It also provides nest and feeding sites for birds such as the yellowhammer, linnets, stonechat and whitethroat; pollen and nectar for bees; food and shelter for insects.

Lionel Kerr and his wife Jane farm at Annahilt, Hillsborough and are positively managing scrub on their farm under the Countryside Management Scheme.

Maintaining and enhancing the conservation value of scrub under an agri-environment scheme could mean additional funding to your farm business. To find out more about scrub management, contact Countryside Management staff at your local DARD office.