The RSPB newsletter for the Volunteer & Farmer Alliance Project FIELD OF VIEW ISSUE 2 NOVEMBER 2003

Five years of V&FA yields

North East a quarter of Scotland 58 a million birds 74

South and West Scotland Shading indicates the year that 120 the project started in each region 150 Northern Ireland North 1999 115 88 154 2000 105

2001 North West England 2002 159 144 2003 East Anglia Central 285 Wales England Number of farms 300 131 371 115 376 Number of volunteers

South East 250 The participation level of the V&FA Project South West England 170 196 England Numbers indicate the total number of farms 167 and volunteers that have been involved in the project over the last five years.

It is astonishing to think that it was only in 1999 that we commitment to building bridges and trust; we believe began asking farmers if they would like our volunteers to that a strong partnership between conservation and survey the birds on their land. From a mere 40 farms in farming has benefits for all. that first year of the Volunteer & Farmer Alliance Project, We sincerely thank the volunteers and farmers who are some 1,839 farms have now been surveyed by 1,689 essential to this process and look forward to working volunteers. That’s over 20,000 hours of surveying and alongside you for many years to come. I hope that you 250,000 records analysed – all improving conservation enjoy reading about the V&FA and the RSPB’s range of management for declining farmland birds. other work involving farmland birds. The V&FA project is a celebration of the relationship between the RSPB and the farming community, which Mark Avery has come a long way in a short time. We have a strong Director of Conservation and V&FA volunteer In this issue: Corncrakes return to England • Farming Berney Marshes • Winter for farmland songbirds • What is happening to our yellow wagtails? • Aren’t Welsh birds brilliant! • CAP reform Work The corncrake returns placement to England thanks The corncrake was once a familiar join the flock. In April 2003, calling part of our countryside. Although began and, during the summer, over Thanks go to Gareth Blockley, an almost impossible to see, its rasping 100 eggs were laid. We released the HND student from Moreton call could be heard in hayfields and first six chicks in June and, by the end Morrell Agricultural College in cereal crops on summer nights. of August, we had released 52 birds. Warwickshire, who completed a Mechanical mowing and the earlier month’s work placement at the We hope to breed and release well harvesting of crops, however, were its Central England Regional Office over 100 corncrakes each year, so that downfall. By the late 20th century, the working on the V&FA. His help and enough birds return from migration to only corncrakes left in the UK were on enthusiasm were greatly establish a wild breeding population. Scottish islands. A similar picture has appreciated, and he has now If this experiment works, it could be been repeated all over Europe, and decided to pursue a career in followed by similar projects the corncrake is now a globally conservation. We hope that more elsewhere in the UK. The corncrake is threatened species. students show an interest in taking unlikely to return to all its former up work placements in the future. In 1999, some young birds escaped habitats, but there are enough from a large, captive-bred population protected areas of grassland for its in Germany. They migrated south to call to be a familiar sound again. Africa for the winter, but returned the For further information, please FarmBird_UK: following spring. contact Peter Newbery on a discussion With this in mind, English Nature and 01767 680551 or the RSPB decided to breed large [email protected] group for numbers of corncrakes in captivity and release them on a grassland farmers nature reserve in England, where Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) many of the fields could be left uncut If you have ideas or questions about during the breeding season. We chose farmland bird conservation, you’ll the RSPB’s Nene Washes nature welcome a new way to discuss reserve in Cambridgeshire, where we them with the experts. FarmBird_UK manage several hundred hectares of is an internet discussion group that grassland for birds and other wildlife. lets you talk to members of RDS, In February 2001, we imported young FWAG, the Game Conservancy captive-bred corncrakes from Trust and the RSPB. Subjects raised Germany, and they spent the spring so far include: indoors, at Chester Zoo. In June, we • the benefits of desiccating transferred them to outdoor pens at oilseed rape by spraying rather Whipsnade Wild Animal Park. than swathing Disappointingly, no breeding took • using grain waste to feed place and we moved them to an farmland birds indoor for the winter. bird use of conservation • In April 2002, we returned the birds to headlands outdoor pens, where the first brood of management of rush • chicks hatched in June. We kept some infestations. of the chicks for further breeding, but To join the discussions, log onto released the majority onto the Nene www.forwardfarming.org.uk/forum, Washes. We hoped that they would select ‘FarmBird_UK’ and register migrate to Africa and return to the using the link at the top of the page. reserve in spring. Unfortunately, no Membership is free; you just need calling males were heard in 2003 – an e-mail address. although this was not unexpected, For further information, please given the small number of birds contact Richard Winspear on released. 01767 680551 or In December 2002, we brought more Corncrakes are being released at [email protected] young corncrakes from Germany to the Nene Washes Berney Marshes – a farmed RSPB reserve Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)

Grazing maintains ideal conditions for wildlife at Berney Marshes

The RSPB’s Berney Marshes nature As one of the largest marsh and lapwings, while farmers use the reserve in Norfolk covers 364 ha and landowners, the RSPB manages the same methods to produce the right is part of the 1,430 ha Halvergate land in a similar way to its grass for summer grazing and Marshes. It lies on the southern edge neighbours, but our primary winter silage. of Halvergate, bordered by Breydon objective is birds. These similar methods can often be Water estuary. There are many similarities in our carried out in tandem, meaning that Over the years, Halvergate Marshes management. The RSPB manages both parties benefit. In order to grow has alternated between arable and the water to provide favourable our respective crops, we have to grassland management as the conditions for invertebrates that feed share an understanding of our agricultural climate has changed. The the birds, while farmers manage different needs and how they are most recent move has been towards water levels to provide drinking likely to affect each other. grassland management, with water and ensure that the grass For further information, please Environmentally Sensitive Areas supports good animals and silage. contact Mark Smart on 01493 700645 (ESAs) changing the way that We use livestock and tractors to or [email protected] marshes are managed. ensure the right length of grass for different birds, such as redshanks Volunteering in the 21st century

In the last year, the RSPB has Volunteers will notice improvements Don’t worry if this sounds a bit like developed a new computer system in the support, management and ‘big brother’ – we only want to use to provide one single point of communications that they receive. the system to ensure that we can information for all our volunteers. It better support you in your The system will make sure that we is known as the Volunteer volunteering for the RSPB. know exactly who you all are, where Management System and will be you live and what you are doing for For further information, please introduced across the RSPB by the RSPB. contact Alan Murray on 01767 680551 January 2004. or [email protected] NFU Scotland Farmland Biodiversity Award

The winner of the 2003 NFU David Tolliday Scotland Farmland Biodiversity Award was Norman Massie from Culsalmond in Aberdeenshire. Norman and Alison Massie run a 100 ha farm that supports a variety of habitats. In the early 1990s, they created a wetland in a barley field, on the advice of Grampian FWAG. It quickly became an important area for wading birds, including breeding redshanks – which are rare in the area – and lapwings. The wetland also supports ducks such as the mallard and teal, while snipe are abundant in winter. Inspired by this success, the Massies created other features – including and field margins – under the Countryside Premium Scheme, and are actively seeking new opportunities in the area. They signed up for the V&FA in 2003. This is the second year that the RSPB has sponsored the NFU Scotland Farmland Biodiversity Award, one of three awards for excellence given by the NFUS and Redshanks are benefiting from new wetlands in Aberdeenshire the Scottish Farmer newspaper. The award recognises farmers, crofters Application forms are now available For further details, contact Marla and growers who demonstrate a for the 2004 NFU Scotland Farmland Cunningham on 0131 472 4000 or at: commitment to the conservation of Biodiversity Award, which is open to NFUS, Rural Centre, West Mains, semi-natural habitats on their farm. all NFUS members. Ingliston, Midlothian EH28 8LT.

Profit without loss

The question, How can farming be This new initiative, called PROBE approach look good alongside a profitable without losing wildlife? (Profit, Biodiversity and healthy yield of insects and seeds has a different answer on every Environment) is based at a 60 ha that we know are vital for our farm. Integrated farming – often site within Farmcare’s 2,000 ha farmland birds. Leicestershire estate. It tests the defined as linking economic viability If you are interested in seeing the impact of new techniques, including with environmental sensitivity using results for yourself, regular planting the crop into the previous modern techniques – is one demonstration events are held at potential solution. It is increasing in stubble field (known as direct drilling), against the conventional the site. For further information, popularity, and we have joined please contact Darren Moorcroft forces with Farmcare, DEFRA and methods of ploughing the fields first. on 01767 680551 or the Environment Agency to see [email protected] whether it can truly deliver profit to Preliminary results are encouraging. all who depend on farming. Crop yields from the integrated What is happening Champions helping to our yellow lapwings wagtails? across A bright flash of yellow and a loud and will identify their feeding and the UK insistent ‘pseeep!’ from the middle nesting needs. In response to the decline in of a field in April signals the return Nicholas Watts, a Lincolnshire farmer breeding lapwings, many farmers of a yellow wagtail from its African known for his enthusiasm for took up the challenge of the wintering grounds. As our only truly farmland bird conservation, has RSPB’s Operation Lapwing – to migratory wagtail species, it returns kindly allowed his land to be used as help this enigmatic bird using a to the UK to breed in a variety of the project’s main study site. The simple five-point plan. Launched open farmed habitats, including wet farm is close to the RSPB’s Nene in 2003, the project also set out to grassland, hay meadows and crops Washes nature reserve in find the UK’s most lapwing- such as wheat and potatoes. Cambridgeshire, where we are friendly farmer. The yellow wagtail has recently been researching yellow wagtails’ nesting From the 85 entrants, winners added to the amber list of birds of and foraging locations. We hope to were crowned in six regions, but conservation concern. Because the produce land management the extra efforts of David and British race is almost completely recommendations for a range of Joan Brailsford, from near endemic to our shores, it is crucial to habitats and regions, aimed at Ashover in Derbyshire, won the ensure the long-term survival of the increasing the species’ population. admiration of the judges and the species. The RSPB has teamed up For further information, please UK title. They avoid cutting silage with English Nature and the BTO to contact Guy Anderson on during the nesting season, mark fund a PhD study at the University of 01767 680551 or individual lapwing nests to avoid East Anglia. It will focus on yellow [email protected] damage from farm machinery wagtails nesting on arable farmland and, by creating wet scrapes, they have ensured an abundance of nest sites and insect food. In just five years, their 160 ha farm has almost doubled its lapwing population to 38 pairs. The regional winners of the 2003 Lapwing Champion competition were: Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com) Henry Edmunds, Wiltshire (Southern), Adam Lee, Bedfordshire (Midlands), Ruradh Ormiston, Inverness-shire (Scotland), Tom Douris, County Tyrone (Northern Ireland) and Hilary Kehoe, Gwynedd (Wales). The RSPB applauds their commitment and efforts, which have undoubtedly enhanced their farms for all wildlife. For further information or to find out how to enter the 2004 Lapwing Champion competition, please contact Darren Moorcroft on 01767 680551 or [email protected]

Yellow wagtails are now amber-listed birds of conservation concern Corn bunting and RSS research project In winter 2002, a project began in East Scotland to investigate the impact of Mike Richards (rspb-images.com) the Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS) on the corn bunting, one of Scotland’s fastest declining birds. The RSS includes several prescriptions that should benefit corn buntings. These include sowing and leaving areas of mixed cereal and brassica crop unharvested in winter, spring cropping with over-winter stubbles, extensively managing crops with no The corn bunting is one of Scotland’s fastest declining birds, but pesticide inputs, late mowing of silage, careful land management can help to improve its fortunes as well as unsprayed conservation headlands, grass margins and beetle-banks in arable fields. Farmland Bird Lifeline in The project is investigating the individual and collective impact of East Scotland these prescriptions since they became established in spring 2003 by Farmland Bird Lifeline began in 2001 flock of 1,000 finches, sparrows and monitoring corn bunting populations and aims to provide nesting habitat buntings on one participating farm. on RSS farms. We are also monitoring and food for some rapidly declining Extensive stubbles and weedy neeps corn buntings on farms that have not farmland birds, particularly the corn (stubble turnips) were also attractive entered the RSS. This will allow us to bunting. It operates in the remaining to various species. compare population changes, over a corn bunting hotspots in mainland The 23 participating farms in three-year period, on farms within and Scotland, where probably fewer than Aberdeenshire, Fife and Angus are outside of the RSS and determine the 800 territorial males remain. We hope managing land covering more than overall benefit of the RSS on corn that the results of this direct land 150 ha within the project. bunting populations in East Scotland. management will benefit birds The surveys also count other declining locally, and be used to influence The farms have also provided farmland birds such as tree sparrows, future agri-environment schemes and opportunities to promote the plight yellowhammers and reed buntings. encourage the development of a of corn buntings and other farmland dedicated corn bunting scheme. birds to a wider audience. FWAG and Farmers have been extremely the RSPB have met several of the enthusiastic about the project, and 38 We have compared results from major agricultural players, including farms – 22 RSS and 16 control farms – winter 2001–2002 with those from the Scottish Executive for in Aberdeenshire and Moray, are our first winter of baseline Environment and Rural Affairs participating. We began baseline monitoring. Preliminary analysis Department, Scottish Natural monitoring in January, with corn suggests that various seed-eating Heritage and the Scottish buntings seen on half of the farms species have benefited. Agricultural College. during the winter. They were mostly in During the summer, we recorded small flocks, feeding on cereal In April 2002, we appointed a project corn buntings nesting and feeding in stubbles or newly drilled spring cereal officer to focus on conservation and the managed habitats provided, and crops. In our summer surveys from research activity for corn buntings in foraging in these areas during the May to August, we recorded 160 corn East Scotland. The corn bunting’s winter. In some areas of bunting territories on and around profile in East Scotland has never Aberdeenshire, breeding productivity the farms. been higher and, in the short term, increased in 2002, which may have Farmland Bird Lifeline seems to be We resume winter surveys in been due to the provision of these benefiting this species and others. December and we hope that corn undisturbed habitats. buntings will be found on unharvested For further information, please During the winter, flocks of up to 80 crops on RSS farms. contact Hywel Maggs on 01224 corn buntings used wild bird cover 624824 or [email protected] For further information, please contact crops, and there was an impressive Allan Perkins on 01224 624824 or [email protected] The RSPB is grateful to Scottish Natural Heritage for funding this work. How important is winter food to farmland songbirds? This is the question that the RSPB worst affected seed-eating farmland has been trying to answer with the birds to recover. help of the Bird Aid project, which The Bird Aid project has involved we started in 2000. It seems that farmers at 109 sites across the UK. changes in farming practices over Landowners at about half of these the last 30 years have reduced the sites have agreed to provide winter amount of seed available to seed for birds from October to March farmland birds in winter. Several each year. We chose the sites to agri-environment scheme options target the populations of three focus on replacing this food source – species that have declined for example, by providing over- particularly dramatically – the tree winter stubbles and wild bird sparrow, yellowhammer and corn cover crops. bunting. The results from the 2003

Research shows that these measures Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) breeding season are being analysed attract large numbers of seed-eating and we will know by the end of the birds in the winter, but this has not year if there has been an increase in yet been linked to greater breeding local breeding density for our populations in subsequent nesting target species. seasons. Another possible solution is For further information, please to put out food such as grain tailings contact Richard Winspear on throughout the winter. It is important 01767 680551 or to know if measures like this can Bird Aid has involved farmers [email protected] help the populations of some of our across the UK Take up the challenge ‘I grew up on a farm near Lincoln. never hit the ground. Sadly, this is and the opportunity to attend a local My formative years were spent now an all too rare sight. training day. The results are used to watching farmland birds and my produce maps and species lists ‘It is easy for us to complain at what identification skills were honed on for farmers. the farmers have done – but they all the species that inhabit fields and have suffered both the carrot and ‘I have done three surveys since hedgerows. When I visit my parents the stick, used equally efficiently by 2000, all on local farms. It has been on the farm, I cannot resist having a the government and the EU to very enjoyable, and made all the wander, listening to the skylarks’ produce today’s farming methods. more worthwhile by the responses continuous yodel, the little owls’ The majority of farmers love to hear I got from farmers. They were all screeching from the nearby oaks the skylarks, watch the tumbling friendly, helpful and enthusiastic and watching the tree sparrows lapwings and enjoy the cheeky about the results. Most recently, an feeding in the garden. nature of the sparrows. owner was overjoyed with the birds ‘Contrary to popular belief, there are that I found – particularly the tree ‘The RSPB’s agricultural campaign is still birds to be found on farmland. sparrows and reed buntings – being fought on many fronts and at But it is also true that millions have because he was not aware of either every level. Thousands of hours are been lost as farming has intensified. species. It gives a wonderful sense spent reversing the declines in I feel saddened that, when I see grey of satisfaction to know that I am farmland birds. Staff do most of the partridges these days, they are contributing something towards the work, but there is a simple and worthy of a special mention in my birds that I love. enjoyable way for volunteers to get diary because of their scarcity. When involved – by taking part in ‘If you would like more information, I was a child, I regularly saw coveys the V&FA. please contact V&FA project staff.’ of 15 to 20 birds. Lapwings were a common sight. Their tumbling ‘It is a simple project that involves Mike Cottingham, V&FA volunteer displays always made me stand in volunteers surveying birds on farms and Lincoln RSPB Local Group awe. I used to wonder how they with the help of an instruction pack member Aren’t Welsh birds brilliant!

The RSPB recently gained an EU Mike Richards (rspb-images.com) grant of over £1 m for its Aren’t Welsh Birds Brilliant! (AWBB) project. A conservation-led partnership, it aims to unite communities, landowners, farmers, partnership organisations and the RSPB, to benefit the local environment, rural and urban communities and local birds in Wales’s Objective One area. The project targets seven key farmland bird species – the black grouse, chough, lapwing, grey partridge, bullfinch, tree sparrow and yellowhammer – all birds of conservation concern in Wales. While black grouse and choughs have vulnerable and isolated populations, the other five species have had population declines of between 50 and 95% in the last 25 years. We are planning conservation projects in Ruthin, Anglesey, the Lleyn Peninsula, Dolgellau, Aberystwyth, Fishguard and Swansea and the Gower. The AWBB project has created 15 jobs, including six out-posted community project officers. While retaining its identity, the V&FA in Wales will be absorbed into AWBB, which we hope will develop the work of the V&FA and achieve more for farmland birds. For further information, please contact Debbie Scott on 01248 The new Aren’t Welsh Birds Brilliant! project celebrates the beauty of 363800 or [email protected] birds such as the chough

Volunteers fly in to Thanks to safeguard key species DEFRA

The Flying Squad is a group of (CSS) arable options, which need The RSPB would like to thank Laura V&FA volunteers in East Anglia, evidence of one of six target bird Workman, who joined our SWRO able to carry out one-off rapid species. With only a few exceptions, V&FA team from DEFRA’s response bird surveys to support all surveys found at least one of the cartography unit in Bristol. Laura farmers’ applications for agri- target species. helped project staff with the year’s environment schemes. This year, data entry and map production, and For further information, please volunteers carried out 35 of these got to grips with our new volunteer contact Shelley Gentle on surveys. Many were conducted to database. We would also like to 01603 660066 or support applications for thank DEFRA for agreeing to the [email protected] Countryside Stewardship Scheme three-month secondment. CAP reform: threat Can you help? Would you like to become more involved with the V&FA project? We or opportunity for are looking for volunteers to support project staff in our regional offices in wildlife? three different capacities: MapInfo They say you can only be certain of Cross-compliance means that To produce maps for farmers, we two things in life – death and taxes – farmers only receive payments if enter a large amount of data onto but another certainty is continual they maintain their land in good the computer using a Geographical change in . The nature and agricultural and environmental Information System (GIS) called speed of these changes determine condition. Its effectiveness will MapInfo. We need volunteers from our farmland wildlife’s future. So, depend on how the rules are July–October for a minimum of one how will the recent reform of the implemented. day a week to help with this. There Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) may be smaller amounts of work While decoupling and cross- affect the UK’s wildlife? available during the rest of the year. compliance will help to protect The demands of 10 new countries existing wildlife, stimulating Training will be given, although joining the European Union, the recovery depends on active knowledge of GIS would be requirements of global trade conservation management. Greater advantageous. Good computer skills agreements and the need for greater availability of agri-environment are essential. sustainability have driven major schemes is key – and this depends Location: all regional offices. changes in the policy. The new-look on greater funding. The CAP CAP is framed around three themes agreement means that UK countries Volunteer Management System – decoupling, cross-compliance and can use modulation to shift more We have set up a new database to modulation. The main product of the money into new agri-environment manage our volunteer records. To agreement so far is uncertainty, but schemes, increasing the number of maintain this system, we need we can predict some outcomes for farmers able to create vital habitats volunteers to help with data entry. farmland and wildlife. on their land. We will train you, although you should be computer literate. Decoupling – removing the link The new CAP is far from perfect. between subsidies and European countries can choose the Location: all regional offices, production – is the biggest change. extent to which they decouple their except EARO. Production-linked subsidies have subsidies and there is little new Event co-ordination encouraged intensification of money for the environment. Overall, Each year, we organise training events farming and made life more though, we believe that it increases for volunteers and thank you events challenging for wildlife. Their recognition of the benefits that for volunteers and farmers. We would removal is likely to be positive for farming can deliver, which sets us on appreciate help with organising these wildlife – but impacts will vary and the path towards a sustainable future events from January–March and there are concerns about marginal for all. August–November, depending on farming systems, such as many of For more information, please contact regional work programmes. You must Scotland’s crofts. These can be Sue Armstrong-Brown on enjoy dealing with people and have a wildlife havens and the loss of 01767 680551 or planned approach to your work. farming here could be as damaging [email protected] as more intensive farming. We will give you guidance and the use of computers, while not essential, would help the work. Location: all regional offices initially; work from home also possible. There may be other projects in which (rspb-images.com) you can become involved – for instance, lapwing projects and the provision of nestboxes. These opportunities vary regionally. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact V&FA project staff in your region or e-mail [email protected] Is farming a SAFE option?

In Yorkshire, 10 farmers are piloting a growing a spring crop as opposed to can add value to a commodity project to show that SAFE farming a winter cereal, and to reward their product like cereals, something can benefit producers, consumers, conservation work. The project hopes which I feel is long overdue’. retailers and wildlife, with the help of to show how sustainable measures The project will be reviewed the RSPB, Banks Cargill Agriculture can increase farm incomes and annually to assess its impact on the and Asda. Farmers participating in boost populations of farmland birds, farms and the populations of target the SAFE (Safeguarding the Arable insects and plants. birds such as the skylark, lapwing Farmed Environment) project adopt Peter Trickett, who farms 404 ha at and tree sparrow. If successful, the a 10-point conservation plan, chosen Wike, near Leeds, is one of the project could be made available to from a list of 15 options. The options farmers taking part. He said, ‘Being arable producers across the UK. are easy to implement on a involved in SAFE will enable me to commercial arable farm and ensure For further information, please help the wildlife on my farm and that birds are provided with key contact Darren Moorcroft on give me the opportunity to make a ingredients for survival. 01767 680551 or profit at the same time. I am also [email protected] Farmers receive a premium for very interested in seeing whether we Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) What the volunteers had to say… We received questionnaires from • 96% of volunteers were satisfied 42% of volunteers in 2002, and the with the level of support they results show that: received from project staff • 89% of volunteers were pleased • 38% of volunteers had never with the V&FA training that they undertaken bird surveys before received • 84% enjoyed participating in the • 93% thought the maps that were project, either a great deal or a provided for their fieldwork were fair amount. suitable … and what the farmers had to say With a 39% response rate from • 85% found that the map they farmers who participated in 2001, were given was very useful the results indicated that: • 81% put the farmland bird • 100% thought that taking part in management guidelines that were the project was worthwhile issued with the map into practice • 88% of farmers had species on • 66% are more favourably inclined their farm that they had not towards other RSPB initiatives previously appreciated following the V&FA survey. V&FA facts and figures For 2002, the results of V&FA surveys indicated that: • just over 65% of the farms surveyed had yellowhammers, but with less frequency in Northern 76% of farms surveyed had house sparrows • Ireland and Wales than in East Anglia just 1% of farms had quails, with none found • 42% of the farms surveyed in East Anglia had turtle in Wales • doves, which is less than the previous year more farms had tree sparrows in the north-west and • 43% of farms surveyed across the UK had lapwings, north-east of England than anywhere else • especially those in regions immediately either side of skylarks were recorded on 79% of the farms surveyed • the Scottish border just 5% of the farms surveyed in Wales recorded • just 2% of the farms surveyed in Scotland had grey partridges • corn buntings more than 80% of the farms surveyed had • chaffinches were recorded on more farms than any song thrushes • other bird, with blackbirds and wrens close behind. Roger Buisson (RSPB)

At Hope Farm, we have trialled two and eight patches per ha Sustainable arable farming – managing crops for wildlife and profit

The structure and density of modern Wildlife benefits would cover the costs even in the winter wheat crops in spring and Provisional results indicate that the worst case scenario. summer make them less suitable for number of skylark nests and chicks ground-nesting birds such as skylarks, produced per nesting attempt were What’s next? that now only successfully raise one higher in the UP and WSR than in SAFFIE will continue to research UP brood when, previously, they might conventionally managed fields. in wheat over the next three years have had two or three. The SAFFIE There was also evidence that UP and on 26 farms across England and (Sustainable Arable Farming For an WSR encouraged key invertebrates Scotland. It will again form a major Improved Environment) project is on which birds feed. More species part of the work programme on the testing two low-cost ways of opening and greater numbers of ‘beneficial’ RSPB’s Hope Farm. up the canopy of winter wheat to weeds (those that provide food for increase access to food sources and birds and insects without impairing Want to know more? nest sites: crop yield and profit) were found Visit Hope Farm to see the undrilled within UP. The patches seem to have • creating undrilled patches (UP) patches in the spring before been particularly successful in within the crop (two patches per ha deciding whether to create them on providing feeding sites for birds. established by turning off the seed your farm. This can be arranged by drill) to provide nesting and feeding contacting Roger Buisson on sites The farmer’s perspective 01954 267438 or We found that crop yield was not • establishing the crop with [email protected] significantly affected. Drilling wide-spaced drill rows (WSR) wide-spaced rows was not a (double the normal row width with More information is available on the problem with most modern seed the same seed rate as normal). RSPB website at www.rspb.org.uk/ drills and most farmers did not countryside/farming/hopefarm This research has been conducted on experience weed problems. The 17 farms (including the RSPB’s Hope potential worst-case cost of UP is For more details on SAFFIE, visit Farm) over the past two years. Results about £8 per ha, depending on the www.saffie.info or contact Tony suggest that both UP and WSR have price of grain. In the best case, it Morris on 01767 680551 or benefits for skylarks and other wildlife may be as little as £2 per ha. The [email protected] – without significantly reducing level of payment currently available crop yield. under the Entry Level Pilot Scheme Survey helps Wildlife-friendly farming at to promote work in Northern Ireland B&B Philip and Barry Meeke farm with cover. This helps to support bird their father between Dromara and populations over the winter, as does The results of a V&FA survey on a Banbridge in Co Down with laying and planting new hedges. farm in Merseyside have helped consideration for wildlife… Simon and Lisa Edwards from ‘In spring, we took the opportunity to Great Altcar to promote their new ‘Our farm has grown over the years have a bird count carried out on the bed and breakfast business – as and now includes dairy and beef as farm by two RSPB volunteers. This well as prompting their entry into well as cereals. Lately, we have was worthwhile, with 31 species the CSS. moved to direct feeding to increase recorded. The most significant efficiency in the dairy herd, and have species present was a healthy Lisa said, ‘The RSPB Volunteer & grown protein crops – peas and population of yellowhammers, now Farmer Alliance Project has not lupins. Triticale has replaced wheat scarce in Northern Ireland. only provided us with a fascinating this year in an effort to reduce the ‘So far, the Countryside insight into the different birds on cost of growing whole-crop cereals. the farm but it has helped us in Management Scheme has made a planning our future farming ‘We have planted awkward and significant impact on the wildlife business decisions. steep corners with native trees and value of the farm and now, that we created two ponds in a boggy area. know which birds live and breed on ‘Since joining, we have entered Two years ago, the farm signed up the land, we can try and support DEFRA’s Countryside Stewardship to the Countryside Management their populations by farming with Scheme and set up a new bed and Scheme, which gives an incentive to their needs in mind. It is not hard to breakfast business aimed at do more conservation work while do and, with a bit of consideration birdwatchers. It has also enabled us bringing extra money into the farm. for wildlife, we hope that the farm to get to know the local RSPB will be a profitable one where birds ‘The two main areas we are volunteers – they now know a bit like the yellowhammer can live and concentrating on are providing more about farming and we have breed successfully.’ been able to pick their brains winter stubble and growing wild bird about birds. ‘We never realised just how big a The RSPB on The Archers hobby birdwatching is and, since opening the B&B in February, we The V&FA project was discussed on project generated interest among have met some really interesting BBC Radio 4’s long-running soap, farmers, and a number contacted people. They enjoy staying on a The Archers. Phil Archer and Peggy us and took part in the project this working farm and being able to Woolley mentioned that George year. Keep listening for an update watch the birds, both out of their Barford was interested in being on George’s survey this autumn. bedroom window and by walking trained as a volunteer birdwatcher, Many thanks to Graham Harvey the footpaths that cross the farm.’ to identify farmland birds on local (the agricultural editor) and his farms – for a scheme run by the team at the BBC. The farm has over 60 bird species, RSPB. This welcome mention of the including exceptional numbers of breeding lapwings, skylarks and Please contact V&FA project staff at the following RSPB offices: grey partridges. It also attracts UK HeadquartersThe Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL Tel: 01767 680551 large flocks of pink-footed geese Central England Regional Office (CERO) 46 The Green, South Bar, Banbury, Oxfordshire in winter. OX16 9ABTel: 01295 253330 For further information, please East Anglia Regional Office (EARO) Stalham House, 65 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1UD Tel: 01603 661662 contact Janet Fairclough on 01484 861148 or North England Regional Office (NERO) 4 Benton Terrace, Sandyford Road, Newcastle NE2 1QU Tel: 0191 212 6100 [email protected] North West England Regional Office (NWRO) Westleigh Mews, Wakefield Road, Denby Dale, Huddersfield HD8 8QD Tel: 01484 861148 South East England Regional Office (SERO) 2nd Floor, Frederick House, 42 Frederick Place, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 4EA Tel: 01273 775333 South West England Regional Office (SWRO) Keble House, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter, Devon EX1 1NT Tel: 01392 432691 Northern Ireland Headquarters Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast BT8 4QT Tel: 028 9049 1547 The RSPB is the UK charity working to East Scotland Regional Office (ESRO) 10 Albyn Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1YP Tel: 01224 624824 secure a healthy environment for birds S and W Scotland Regional Office (SWSRO) 10 Park Quadrant, Glasgow G3 6BS and wildlife, helping to create a better Tel: 0141 331 0993 world for us all. North Wales Office Maes y Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DW Tel: 01248 363800 Regd charity no 207076 2C-0392-03-04 www.rspb.org.uk