RSPB Geltsdale’s site manager Steve Westerberg talks about how farming on the reserve is helping to provide homes for nature.
Tarnhouse Farm is part of RSPB Geltsdale and is farmed by the RSPB’s tenant Ian Bell who has his own farm adjacent to the reserve. Tarnhouse is a large hill farm and is about 2000ha, the majority of which is moorland. Ian has been farming here for 18 months and has 80 suckler cows and 360 ewes along with a stockperson, Kelly, who is working full time on the farm.
Farmer Ian Bell at Geltsdale. Image: Steve Westerberg
Ian has a good understanding of the work we are doing at Geltsdale and is working with us create a variety of habitats for the range of species on the reserve. Most of his cattle are Sim-Luing cross, which are put to a Charolais bull to produce good quality beef. The majority of the calving takes place here in the spring. At the moment, Ian is about three quarters of the way through calving.
The cows and calves are put out to graze once they have calved, which is an important part of the nature conservation of the farm. Cattle are quite selective about what grass they eat so when they graze, they leave patchy areas of grass, which benefit many birds, particularly black grouse and curlews.
To prevent damaging this habitat, most of the cattle then spend the winter in a large shed, which was constructed in 2015.
Cows in shed at Geltsdale. Image: Ian Ryding
Lambing is now just about over and, after dosing for worms, the flock is going onto the fell ground. Sheep can live on these higher parts of the farm and their close grazing, which keeps the grass short, is good for breeding golden plovers. In July, the flock will be gathered off the hill temporarily for clipping, contract shearers will be here for the day, a busy time with everyone involved in making sure the shearers are as efficient as possible.
All the stock are off the hayfields now, which are now full of flowers. One hayfield even has large numbers of northern marsh orchids. There are also wading birds nesting in them. These hayfields will be cut in late July/August, giving time for the waders to fledge their young and leave.
Most of Ian’s time at the moment is spent checking the health of his sheep and cattle. As the stock are spread out over the whole farm, there is a great deal of ground for him to cover and lots of places for stock to hide in. It’s hard work but he clearly loves it.
He says: “It’s a pleasure working on the reserve on a daily basis, seeing the huge variety of birds and fabulous scenery.”