I am really looking forward to taking part in the GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count in the second week in February. It is a great excuse to take an hour out to appreciate the birds on the farm, and it is always useful to know which species are using the farm, so that the conservation work we do can be tailored to the birds present.
At Hope Farm in Cambridgeshire, we grow bird cover crops to feed seed-eating birds throughout the winter. This draws in birds from other farms so that our winter bird numbers are much higher than our breeding numbers for many species. Bird numbers on our Hope Farm are very high this winter, with the bird covers still feeding lots of yellowhammers and reed buntings and, for the first winter since we bought the farm, tree sparrows! There are currently about 200 yellowhammers on the farm!
If you want to take part in the Big Farmland Bird Count then you can register on the GWCT website and find all the details about how to take part and submit your results. When you have done your count, you can get advice on how to help the birds that you find on the farm from the RSPB website www.rspb.org.uk/forprofessionals/farming/advice/
A new programme of agri-environment schemes is being launched across the UK this year, providing funding for farmers who want to help wildlife. In England, there will be funding for farmers to help wildlife through ‘Countryside Stewardship’. This includes the ‘Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife Package’ to support all wildlife on lowland farmland. It is the best designed package for wildlife that English agri-environment schemes have ever funded, and a must for all wildlife-friendly farmers. This will be launched in the summer.
By Richard Winspear