With the breeding season monitoring finally completed at the end of June we have now turned our attention to analysing the results.

Our biggest highlights of the year have to be the confirmed breeding of lapwings and grey partridges.

Two large lapwing chicks were seen running around our two-year set-aside field for most of June before departing whilst a covey of grey partridge chicks were seen on one of the margins of the fields. Skylark, yellowhammer and linnet numbers are similar to last year's record numbers.

Skylark, yellowhammer and linnet numbers are similar to last year's record numbersThe full results from this year's monitoring will be available later in the year.

Harvest

Harvest at Hope Farm was completed in early August with mixed results. Fortunately, we were able to harvest all our crops in dry weather, so we don't have any additional drying costs.

We grew wheat and oilseed rape and spring beans this year. Wheat yields were fairly consistently higher this year than last across the farm. We only grew one variety, Robigus which yielded 10.36 t/ha (4.16 t/acre) for the first wheats and 8.70 t/ha (3.49 t/acre) for second wheats.

Our oilseed rape (a variety called Winner) yielded between 2.5 t/ha- 3.25 t/ha (1-1.3 t/acre), which was better than we initially expected but still disappointing. The crop was again broadcast which substantially reduced our establishment costs. Our spring beans, variety Syncro, yielded 3.13 t/ha (1.25 t/acre).

Successful open days

During June and July we held a number of open days for the local community and RSPB supporters who donate regularly to the farm.

These were well attended and everyone went away enthused about the project with most avoided the showery weather. We are planning to run further events on the 16 and 17 June 2007. If you give regularly to support the work of Hope farm and would like to attend future events, then please register your interest via membership@rspb.org.uk or call membership services on 01767 680551. Please include your name, address, postcode, and phone number in your e-mail.

If you would like to donate money to our work at Hope Farm, please call 01767 680551 and we will be happy to help (Mon to Fri, 9 am to 5 pm).