The problem, from the point of view of the sparrows, with being marooned in this island hedge is that when predators are on then look out, you've a good chance of being spotted. The flock of sparrows was reduced by one this week thanks to a sparrowhawk. You can see it - perched in the centre of the bush - just after his dive-bomb. It's got light coloured streaks down its side - I'm told this is an identifying feature of a sparrowhawk. A couple of weeks back, another hawk became stuck in the hawthorn after misjudging his attack. As I said earlier, the Ecological survey said there was no wildlife of any note in the hedge - how wrong can you get?
The Mayflower is in bloom right now - it attracts insects to its heavy scent, these are picked off by the sparrows as they move up and down the hedge. They crab-apple blossom has dropped already - but the ivy will not flower until Autumn, when it is visited by butterflies. I'll add photos of the butterflies later. (More of the non-existent wildlife!) The female blackbird has not been so active this week - I did think that she had given up on the nest for some reason, but I spotted her today darting in - perhaps she is being more secretive following the appearance of the hawks in the last couple of weeks. The bats have also re-appeared. They scan up and down the hedge just after sun-set - they seem quite large in size, bigger perhaps than a pipistrelle.
This picture show most of the hedge - around 60 yards long. At one time the hedge bordered both sides of Pentyla Road, which was an ancient bridleway that led from Gower in the West. Futher up Pentyal Road, on the South side are some tall hawthorns - remainders of the old hedge on that side of the road. These trees have preservation orders on them, As the hedge is the same age, why is this not protected as well? The Ancient and Important Hedgerows act says that hedges can be protected if they contain native species and are on raised banks - exactly what we have here!
(Picture taken with permission of parents of those children who appear in it)This view looks down from the north of the field towards Cefn Bryn in the distance. The hedge is on the left. Graigllwyd Road borders on the right, Lon Coed Bran to the south. Originally this was common land - vestiges of this can be seen in the bracken that still occurs sporadically on the margins. The field ends in a point formed by two old droving roads converging at Graigllwyd Square - Pentyla Road was one - Graigllwyd the other. The field was enclosed in 1762, and divided into three. You can still see large Hawthorns here and there around the Graigllwyd Road perimeter, as wellas the odd mature beech - these are all are left of the original Enclosure Hedging. This is why it is so important to preserve the continuous stretch that is left in Pentyla Road - once gone it is lost forever. It is amazing that this area was saved from being built upon. It seems that the landowner, The Duke of Beaufort, retained this field for himself while other parts of Townhill were sold on piecemeal to other landowners and the corporation - possibly becasue it was the flattest space in the area and thus easier and more profitable to farm. Given back to the citizens
of Swansea in the 1930's, it is now in danger of being taken from them by the very people who profess to care for open spaces and the environment. There are no other open spaces like this for miles around. It is an irreplaceable amenity that should be treasured and preserved.
