One of the most rewarding parts of my job as Cirl Bunting Project Manager is to go back to a farm and see management underway. Last month I was invited back to Boohay farm near Dartmouth by Paul Burnell to look at the work they have been doing on one of the coastal fields to restore the species rich grassland that was being lost under scrub and bracken.
This grassland restoration was part of an HLS/ELS application I helped put together in 2013. The family run farm is important for its population of cirl buntings but has many other wildlife (including rare arable plants) and historic features of interest so the application submitted was quite complex and incorporated many different management options.
One of the most challenging aspects of the application, now a live agreement, was the grassland restoration on 5.04ha of steep east facing coastal slope running down to sheer cliffs.
Image 1: A view of the restoration site prior to management with extensive bramble and bracken scrub. The steep coastal slope running down to steep cliffs posed a challenge for restoration management.(Mike Ingram).
This land was at one time open grassland but in recent years had been largely abandoned (which is common with many coastal grasslands) and the important wildflower communities have been lost under bramble and bracken scrub. It was felt that by removing up to 80% of this scrub (retaining some is important as it also provides an important habitat in its own right) and reintroducing appropriate stock grazing, the value of the site would be greatly enhanced for wildlife but this presented many challenges. The site is very steep and uneven and being directly adjacent to the sea was too dangerous to use tractor mounted equipment so any scrub management would have to be done by hand. This obviously makes management expensive and time consuming.
This site is adjacent to National Trust cliff land on either side that is also being managed through HLS to enhance its value for biodiversity and landscape. Using the experience gathered from these adjacent sites, I drew up a scrub management plan and recommended management techniques and contractors with experience of this type of work.
Image 2: An area of hand-cleared scrub. Conservation Advisor Cath Jeffs drew on experience from adjacent sites to draw up a scrub management plan. Despite being labour intensive, hand-clearance was the only safe way to remove scrub from the steep site. (Cath Jeffs).
Scrub removal is only part of the story as once it has been cleared it is essential that stock is reintroduced to help maintain the grassland. As Paul did not have animals suitable for grazing this type of land, this involved bringing in the right animals. The South West Coast Path runs along the lower part of the site so it was important stock would be able to cope with walkers.
Image 3: Dartmoor ponies graze the hand-cleared areas. Once hand-clearance of scrub has been completed, ongoing grazing management is needed to maintain the open ground and encourage re-establishment of coastal grassland. (Cath Jeffs).
Paul has now undertaken two winters of scrub clearance. He has borrowed Dartmoor ponies from a Dartmoor farmer and has brought a small flock of Hebridian sheep from a neighbour. On the day I visited there was brisk cold sea breeze and it was overcast but I was delighted to see how the site is being transformed. The ponies were looking very much at home grazing on the sparse vegetation whilst the sheep (nowhere to be seen but no doubt sheltering somewhere from the elements) had also settled well and are doing a good job grazing the hard to reach bits of the site.
Image 4: Farmer Paul Burnell and the Dartmoor ponies used to graze the coastal fields at Boohay Farm. The type of stock selected for restoration-grazing were chosen for their suitability to the terrain and compatibility with walkers on the SW Coast Path. (Cath Jeffs)
Although there is still along way to go before the site is restored back to its former glory it is a fantastic start and Paul said he was really enjoying doing the work which was good news as it is such a long term management commitment.
It is important to recognise that although agri-environment can provide payments to help with this sort of management/restoration, farmers like Paul should continue to receive on going support and encouragement. As a conservation adviser I hope this continues to be a big part of my role and I look forward to revisiting the farm in a few years time to see even more wildlife, though I may see if I can visit in the summer next time!
For more information please contact:
Cath Jeffs (Project Manager, Conservation, South-West England): cath.jeffs@rspb.org.uk
For more stories of how RSPB is working with farmers to benefit farmland wildlife follow this blog or, on Twitter @AgriODowd.
By Cath Jeffs