RSPB Geltsdale’s tenant farmers have won an award for their efforts to protect and support Curlews and other wading birds. Ian Bell and his partner Rebecca Dickens run their own farm in Hallbankgate, which Ian inherited from his father, and have been tenant farmers at RSPB Geltsdale since 2016. Ian and Rebecca manage a total of 7,000 acres across the two farms, focusing on producing sustainable food in balance with nature, running a viable business alongside protecting and enhancing the land for nature recovery, habitat creation and biodiversity. The couple were put forward for the Farmland Curlew Award by RSPB Geltsdale staff. The award was established by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to recognise farmers who make a significant contribution to Curlew conservation. Ian and Rebecca were among seven regional winners and awarded the overall title, chosen from farmers across Cumbria, Northumberland, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Tyne Tees.
On both their own farm and the land they farm at RSPB Geltsdale, called Tarn House, Ian and Rebecca create wet features to support birdlife. They set aside any marginal areas to create a pool or pond, which benefits curlews and other ground nesting birds, as they use wetland areas for washing and feeding in the breeding season. They also like to plant hedgerows to support invertebrates and birdlife.
In addition, Ian and Rebecca help to support Curlews and their young by cutting their meadows late. At Tarn House they don’t cut until July 15th each year, in agreement with the RSPB, to give Curlew chicks plenty of time to fledge. When they do cut their meadows – usually not until August, Ian and Rebecca always look out for birds. Curlews take five to six weeks as chicks to fledge and Ian and Rebecca check for any late ones to make sure they are not harmed during mowing. Last year, there was a Curlew chick which was tagged on the Geltsdale reserve to monitor its movements and it ended up on Ian and Rebecca’s field off the reserve. They had contractors in to cut that field, but went round to check chicks weren’t present before going ahead and delayed mowing when they found the tagged chick. Ian even sent the RSPB team at the reserve a picture of him with the chick, and was genuinely excited at having found it on his land, despite the delay to the mowing that it brought with it.
Ian Ryding, Geltsdale farmland warden, explained: “He always makes sure curlew chicks are out of the way.
"The rush to make silage during good weather, contractors often don't have time to check fields for ground nesting birds, but Ian is much more conscious of them.”
Ian and Rebecca have cattle and sheep on his farm at Hallbankgate, but at Tarn House they have mainly cattle, whose grazing provide better nesting conditions for Curlews due to the greater depth and diversity of grass structure they leave when grazing, so even the couple’s choice of livestock supports Curlews. They have also introduced cattle onto the moorland edge, improving the rough grazing habitat for curlews by trampling rushes, creating tussocky sward, and remove their livestock from key nesting areas during the nesting period to prevent trampling.
Ian’s enthusiasm and affinity for the birdlife is evident, as Ian Ryding explained: “He likes seeing the birds, likes seeing species like Curlew.
“Like all of us, for Ian, when the Curlews come back in February it is a welcome time, a harbinger of spring, which is always a good thing for farmers and livestock.”
Janet Fairclough conservation advisor, added: “There is flexible working between the RSPB and Ian, they have a good working relationship and daily conversations, so that he can change his management if needed – such as by moving stock to favour Curlews, managing vegetation and creating wetlands.”
Ian Bell is thrilled with the win and said: “We were very humbled to receive the inaugural Farmland Curlew Award, we try hard for nature on our own farm, as well as working alongside the RSPB on the reserve.
“It isn’t easy farming very commercially, as we do, as well as providing as many habitats as we can, but we are trying to find a balance to show that it is possible to have both - the huge array of wildlife on our farm proves farming and nature can go hand in hand.
“We have learnt a lot from the RSPB warden Ian Ryding since we started working together, which has benefitted the Curlew on our own farm, creating the habitat they prefer with cattle grazing.”