The calculation of the Hope Farm farmland bird index, based on the 19 species that comprise the Government's quality of life farmland bird indicator, shows our populations have increased by 63% in just seven years since purchasing the farm.

The species that contribute to the farmland bird index are the corn bunting, goldfinch, greenfinch, grey partridge, jackdaw, kestrel, lapwing, linnet, reed bunting, rook, skylark, starling, stock dove, tree sparrow, turtle dove, whitethroat, woodpigeon, yellow wagtail and yellowhammer.

The highlights this year have been the continued increase in yellowhammer territories, now up to 30 pairs (from 14 in 2000), the record number of whitethroat (37) and starling (18) territories and the breeding lapwings.

These record numbers have not just been confined to the breeding season. So far this winter we have recorded 400 linnets, 100 yellowhammers and six corn buntings using the set-aside.

Benefits of broadcast oilseed rape

For the last two years, we have established our oilseed rape using a broadcast method. This provides large savings in establishment costs compared with our traditional establishment method of minimum tillage.

By broadcasting, we provide more over-winter stubble, which has the potential to be a good source of grain and weed seeds and should be preferred by birds.

Next year, in a new trial, we will be monitoring the numbers of birds using the crop, yields produced and net margins of establishing oilseed rape by both broadcast and minimum tillage methods. The warm and mild weather has allowed the crops to advance quickly following early sowing. We will be fighting hard to keep the pigeons and slugs off the crop over this forthcoming winter.