A walk into Nature-Friendly Farming

Over the past five decades, nearly half of our farmland wildlife and a staggering 97% of our wildflower meadows have vanished across the UK. In Northern Ireland, around 75 per cent (about 100,000 square kilometres) of our countryside is farmed in some way, playing a crucial role not only in food production but also in supporting wildlife and eco-system services (soil protection, climate regulation, and water quality).  

The Kelly family farm is a remarkable testament to the potential for harmony between farming and nature. But more on that later... 

RSPB NI has been working closely with over 400 farmers and land managers for more than 30 years to find ways to balance the needs of farming and wildlife. Through the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) group projects, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), farmers receive ongoing support, training, and tailored advice from RSPB NI facilitators to implement nature-friendly practices on their lands, to benefit priority habitats and farmland birds. 

With support from RSPB NI’s experienced farmland advisors, farmers gain access to demonstrations, site visits, and a host of resources to better understand the scheme’s implementation and benefits.  

In County Down, the EFS-funded County Down Farmland Bird Initiative (CDFBI) group aims to halt and reverse the decline of some of Northern Ireland’s most iconic farmland birds facing catastrophic declines. The EFS group option aims to inspire and empower farmers to join a coordinated network of nature savers, to feel equipped to adopt and deliver nature-friendly measures to support these threatened species.   

Arable and mixed farming systems, particularly spring sown cereals, found in County Down provide a crucial habitat for seed-eating species, serving as their lifeline and offering farmers a chance to create safe havens for nesting birds, insects, and more. Key priority species within the area are Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Tree Sparrow, Lapwing, Skylark, Kestrel and Barn Owl.   

Twice a year, the CDFBI group facilitator organises two training events for its group members. These events provide fantastic opportunities to witness first-hand how farmers participating in EFS are diligently managing their farms to support farmland species through nature-friendly conservation practices.  

‘’The event also provides a fantastic opportunity for other folk to meet-up with our CDFBI group, like-minded individuals and foster a shared interest in helping our iconic farmland species recover’’ said Michelle Duggan, RSPB NI Conservation Officer, and event organiser.  

This year, the CDFBI members gathered at the Kelly family farm on the 18th of July.    

Jack Kelly states ‘’The farm has been in the family for generations, since the 1700s. It holds treasured memories of a time when corncrakes were heard every year as they returned to the farm's grounds.’’  

Images: Jack and Adam Kelly (Jack’s son) on their farm

The Kellys’ 89-acre farm, located near Downpatrick, boasts a diverse array of avian species, including Barn Owls, Yellowhammers, Linnets, and Long-eared Owls. Otters have been reported using the river in recent years and Bats have been seen foraging for food. Many species find refuge and claim the best spots the farm has to offer. House sparrows have cosily settled inside Jack's old boot, and Swallows gracefully build nests beneath the roof, darting to-and-fro. Every time you look up, there's another flash of feathers. 

Image: House Sparrow nesting in Jack’s old boot

But there is one addition that makes it even more special - Sand Martins.  

The story begins with Jack's father, who, through excavation, stumbled upon a rich deposit of sand. This valuable resource was used to enhance the farmyard's surface, solidifying its foundation. The sand, thought to have been deposited after the last Ice Age, is also linked to the formation of County Down's renowned drumlin landscape. Today, this sand deposit has been ingeniously transformed into a "Sand Martin hotel’’ and provides a welcome retreat for these birds. 

Image: Sand Martins' burrows on Kelly farm 

Sand Martins are summer visitors to the UK, arriving from March to June, and can dig burrows in sandy vertical banks. They endure extreme weather conditions as they travel the thousands of miles between Africa and Northern Ireland, where they return to breed. Witnessing these resilient little birds return year after year is a truly remarkable experience.  

Michelle comments: ‘’It’s not something you see every day on a farm. It is a very special thing to see these wee birds come back every year after such hardship, thousands of miles travelling back here from Africa’’.  

Our next stop is Hedgerows. In Northern Ireland, the lack of native woodlands makes hedgerows across farms a critical habitat feature, providing food and shelter for birds and act as important 'Wildlife Corridors' helping species navigate across the countryside. These fantastic structures not only offer refuge to biodiversity but often hold historical significance, dating back to times when families used them to segregate different lands. Unfortunately, with the intensification of agriculture, many of these hedgerows have been lost. Thankfully, efforts to preserve hedgerows across farmland are yielding positive results.  

Images: Hedgerows on Kelly Farm

Jack has been trimming his hedges in the classic ‘A’ shape for more than 20 years, providing dense cover for nesting birds, and continues to use traditional farming methods such as harvesting hay. Healthy and robust hedgerows can also offer valuable shelter to both livestock and crops.

Jack Kelly shares: ‘’Since we’ve restored hedgerows, we’ve seen the return of ladybirds to our crops, and we aren’t using a single pesticide. In stormy weather, hedgerows also act as a protective barrier, shielding crops from high winds and destruction.’’ 

The dense bases of hedges provide a secure sanctuary for nesting birds, akin to nature's own staircase. Hedges act as a natural ladder and serve as vital steppingstones for various species, facilitating their movement between different habitats. Each level or "step" of vegetation within the hedges nurtures a diverse range of species, big and small.  

Moving onto winter feed crop… Sown as part of the EFS scheme in April/May, this crop is left completely unharvested over the winter months, providing seeds for various seed-eating farmland birds. Additionally, the mixture of cereals, Linseed and Sunflowers serves as a food source for insects and invertebrates, such as damselflies, butterflies, and bees. The presence of these insects further supports the diet of seed-eating species like Yellowhammers, providing an essential protein source when raising their chicks.  

Image: Winter feed crop on Kelly Farm

Another critical habitat showcased during the walk were rough grass margins. Well established and managed rough grass margins, provide an ideal setting for Barn Owls and Kestrels, with high grasses like Cocksfoot and Yorkshire fog attracting small mammals (Shrews and Field Mice), their primary prey. This practice not only supports birds of prey but also encourages pest predator species to thrive, such as ladybirds and spiders. A unique aspect of these margins is their role in supporting amphibian and reptile species as they travel into their winter grounds.

Images: Rough grass margins on Kelly Farm

Lastly, the group visited a species-rich wildflower meadow. Wildflower meadows play a vital role in supporting local farmland wildlife, providing a sanctuary for species such as bees, butterflies, and birds. As pollinators thrive in wildflower-rich environments, they contribute to enhanced crop pollination, bolstering agricultural productivity. These species-rich habitats also act as natural pest-control systems, reducing the need for chemical interventions and promoting sustainable farming practices. 

Images: Wildflower meadow on Kelly Farm

On Jack’s farm, throughout the hay meadows you can find Yellow Rattle, a parasitic wildflower that reduces intense grass growth, creates space for other wildflower species to flourish, including Red Clover, Meadow Buttercup, Knapweed, rare Orchids and many more. This natural corridor not only enables species to move freely and go from one place to another but also offers an ideal home to an abundance of buzzing insects across the meadow. These insects, in turn, serve as a vital food source for nesting birds and their chicks, like the Yellowhammer. 

Image: Yellow Rattle on Kelly Farm

As the day came to an end, the participants expressed their overwhelming sense of pride and hope for the future.

Michelle points out: "Safe to say that everyone takes great pride in their achievements and are so eager to share their experiences; and spread the word that Nature-Friendly farming is achievable when we come together."  

Images: From left: Tracey Connolly (Biodiversity Officer for Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council), Kelsie Erskine (farmer, cereal and livestock grazing), Robert Nesbitt (farmer) and friend Steven Wilson, Chris McAuley (farmer), Jack Kelly with Rolo the dog, Greer Lowe (farmer), Michelle Duggan (RSPB Conservation Officer), Adam Kelly, Kelly family members.

The Kelly Family farm serves as a reminder that preserving biodiversity is not only possible but also essential in ensuring the survival of Northern Ireland’s iconic farmland birds and wildlife. Together, with initiatives like the CDFBI group and EFS, we can create a thriving environment for both nature and farming.  

Comprehensive information on the scheme and all the EFS options and the application process is available online through the EFS section of the DAERA website.  

Interested in learning more about EFS group option or know someone who does? For information or advice please contact Michelle Duggan, RSPB NI Conservation Officer on 0770 3607 626 or email michelle.duggan@rspb.org.uk.