Grange pupil wins hedgerow quiz
Ten-year- old Fermoy youngster and pupil of Grange National School, Harry O’Flynn, is the winner of this year’s Hedgerows Ireland hedgerow quiz.
The Mount Rivers local, whose interests include fishing and nature watching, was presented with a pair of high-powered binoculars and a Fota Island voucher.
Speaking on Harry's entry to the quiz, judges said his entry 'showed a real understanding of the issues involved. He is a real outdoors kid with a passion for nature as well as being a very keen fisherman.'
Hedgerows Ireland is a Tipperary-based environmental group dedicated to all aspects of hedgerow welfare who have been running educational events at farm shows in recent years, including the hedgerow quiz. The prize for this year’s hedgerow quiz was sponsored by Camida pharmaceutical company in Clonmel and the prize was presented to Harry on November 1 at the Camida offices.
Questions included in the quiz focused on hedgerow species, the benefits of good quality hedges, birds and bird nesting, etc.
Entrants were also asked to include a question at the end, to give their views about the best way to encourage good hedgerows.
"We sometimes say that our native hedgerow corridors are the Irish equivalent of the Amazon rainforest, as they are equally important in an Irish context for carbon storage and biodiversity. They also provide flood protection, shelter, shade and beauty. They are home to two-thirds of our native bird species and 600 native plants, and provide a vital home for pollinating insects.
"We have very strong links with farming organisations, fishing clubs and beekeepers as well as birdwatching and nature clubs. We find that almost everybody supports our efforts to promote, protect and pay for healthy hedgerows. We strongly urge landowners to retain native hedgerows.
"We are promoting a 'Bigger are Better' campaign where we ask hedge cutters to allow hedges to increase in height and width. This is because research shows that bigger, taller and wider hedges are much better for carbon storage and wildlife," a Hedgerows Ireland spokesperson said.
Hedgerows Ireland continued their work by attending farm shows this year including the Clonmel Show in July, where members helped children identify common hedgerow plants and flowers and saw children from across the region take part in the annual hedgerow quiz.