Wild Isles – Farming and Conservation in England
Did you catch the Grasslands episode of Wild Isles? Nature friendly farming can help us bring back lost biodiversity across farmland landscapes.
More than 70 per cent of the land in the UK is farmland. Many of today’s farming methods were developed in response to economic constraints, rather than as part of a system that has nature’s best interests at its heart. Farming is an essential industry, which we need if we’re to continue producing sufficient, healthy food to feed us. But farming also needs nature for pest control, pollination, and to help maintain healthy soils. Nature-friendly farming is also a vital ally in the fight against climate change.
We’ve been working closely with farmers across England to help boost butterfly, bee and bird populations through farmland conservation methods and we practice Nature-Friendly Farming on our own reserves too.
Almost 70 per cent of land in England is agricultural, which can have a huge impact on birds and other wildlife. Over time, the increase of farmland has led to a decrease in wildlife, landscape and water and soil quality.
What are the RSPB doing to help at Blacktoft Sands?
Some farmers are now leading the way to a better relationship with nature, working with nature to provide the food we need and support a healthy environment. One such example is Island Farm at RSPB Blacktoft Sands, where the Humber meets the Trent in Northern Lincolnshire.
The Humber Estuary is an amazing place, which hosts up to hundreds of thousands of wetland birds each year, but over hundreds of years, their traditional feeding, nesting and roosting habitats were replaced by farmland.
By giving land over for nature-friendly farming, RSPB Blacktoft Sands helps both wildlife and the local community, including wildlife-friendly grassland, hay meadows, arable land and reedbeds. This has really given some fantastic results for biodiversity.
The arable area is bird friendly, and at times helps feeding curlew, lapwing, and ruff as well as pink footed geese in the autumn. It also has two areas of wild bird cover and winter feed which has attracts finches, linnets, reed bunting, yellowhammer, tree sparrow and corn buntings. In summer, the area often has yellow wagtails feeding on it and collecting food for their chicks.
The field also has an area of grassland that runs along the riverbank, it holds notable numbers of both pyramidal and bee orchids. A notable find on another nearby part of the farm was grass vetchling, which is rare this far north. All of this contributes to biodiversity and benefits pollinators.
Image: Birds flock over farmland at RSPB Blacktoft Sands (credit: RSPB-Images.com)
What else is the RSPB doing to help?
Unlike conventional farming methods, nature friendly farms don't rely on chemical sprays and heavy machinery to harvest large quantities of food. Nature friendly farming is more labour intensive, at RSPB Blacktoft Sands, we weed by hand, taking out invasive weeds like ragwort and spear thistle that are no good for crops.
Lots of farmers are unable to do this because there are so few farm labourers these days, which makes RSPB Blacktoft Sands one of the largest farmland employers in Northern Lincolnshire. By protecting and restoring our vital grasslands, and supporting other farmers to do the same, we can help tackle climate change and create a better future for the many species that depend on our grasslands to survive – including us.
What are our volunteers/partners doing to help?
Pete Short, RSPB Blacktoft Sands site manager, said: “Island Farm was originally arable farmland, but over the past 20 years, the owners have created a rich mosaic of coastal wet grazing marsh and reedbed. Thanks to a grant from BIFFA, we were able to purchase more of the farmland, to create even more diverse of these habitats to allow nature to flourish.
“Volunteers at RSPB Blacktoft Sands are trained to look after livestock and carry out a range of duties. They are fully involved in the work and get to learn about farming by volunteering on the reserve. The only thing they don’t do is drive the tractor!”
What can I do to help?
Together, we have the power to make a real difference to our grasslands and their precious wildlife – as shoppers, farmers, businesses and leaders. Find out more about how buying Fair to Nature food products can help here.
Want to create a mini garden grassland? We’ve lots of tips and tricks for creating wildflower meadow on our website! Create a wildflower meadow | The RSPB