Blogger: Rachael Murray, Media Assistant
The race is on to get entries in for this year's RSPB Telegraph Nature of Farming Award with applications being accepted until Saturday 30 April.
The award aims to find the UK's most wildlife friendly farmer who has put in the most work on their land to help threatened countryside species. It's run by the RSPB, supported by Butterfly Conservation and Plantlife, and sponsored by The Telegraph.
Entries are already coming in thick and fast. After the closing date, entries will be shortlisted to eight regional winners then a panel of experts will decide which four should go through to the national finals. The UK public will then decide the winner by casting their votes online via The Telegraph or at country shows throughout the summer.
Last year's regional winner was James Bucher at Hall Farm, Knetishall. James won the award in recognition of the measures he puts in place to help wildlife thrive on his land, including the creation of skylark plots in winter cereals, areas of unharvested crops, and nectar rich areas which attract a range of farmland wildlife. Water voles and otters were also helped in the area and margins cultivated around the land for arable plants. James commented; "It is vital that we as farmers implement targeted measures to ensure the resources we rely upon, such as good soil condition, clean water, farmland birds and other wildlife, are protected for the future. It's quite simple: my farmland birds are like a miner's canaries. If they are okay, then I am okay. I can't think of a better legacy to leave my son."
All the details on how to enter can be found on the RSPB website at - www.rspb.org.uk/natureoffarming.
Photo: Stone-curlew plot, within first year arable reversion. Winterbourne Downs RSPB reserve (Manor Farm). Wiltshire, England. September 2008.
Credit: Andy Hay (rspb images)