Linnet by Chris Prince
Whilst you might not think there is a great deal of farmland at Pulborough Brooks, we’re managing the wet grassland as a traditional grazed flood meadow which makes it suitable for a range of farmland birds such as lapwings, skylarks and meadow pipits.
Over the past couple of years we have also been managing Upperton’s Field to support farmland birds, especially finches and buntings. Many farmland bird species have shown dramatic declines over recent decades with many of them, now appearing on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. Turtle doves have perhaps fared worst and have declined by 93 per cent since the 1970s.
In spring 2016, our management of Upperton’s Field will be tweaked with the intention of enhancing the habitat for the benefit of turtle doves as well as for the finches such as linnets who have been making use of the winter seed and stubble for the past couple of years.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be preparing and planting Upperton’s Field. After ploughing, the top half of the field will be planted with a winter songbird arable mix – great for finches & buntings. The bottom plot will be ploughed and then left fallow, creating bare ground for foraging and bringing the seeds of arable weeds and wildflowers to the surface. The seeds popular with turtle doves include scarlet pimpernel, bird’s foot trefoil, common vetch and clover. We will re-plough half of this plot in August with the intention of alternating the two areas to ensure that bare ground and seed is available at the appropriate time.
Turtle doves only eat seeds so they need a source of water nearby and they also need hedgerows for nesting. They prefer more mature hedgerows and thorn than our nightingales but we should be able to create enough to suit both tastes.
Although we have not had sightings for some years, there are some historical records of turtle dove at Pulborough Brooks and over the past few years there have been breeding birds in the Adur Valley.
The RSPB are part of 'Operation Turtle Dove' which researches the reasons behind the declines both in the UK, during migration and in their winter grounds, trials conservation solutions, helps advice landowners to provide feeding and nesting. You can find out more at http://www.operationturtledove.org/turtle-doves/
Whilst our arable plot is providing a home to some great farmland birds, it is on a pretty small scale. At Hope Farm in Cambridgeshire the RSPB are trialling wildlife-friendly farming techniques in a bigger way.
Whilst being run as a commercial farming operation, bird numbers at the farm have increased by over 140% since 2000 with many red-listed species increasing well above expectations. One of the most iconic arable species, skylarks, has increased by an amazing 300% and the butterflies, moths and bees are also thriving.
One of the crops grown at Hope Farm is oilseed rape, and you can buy bottles of our extra virgin rapeseed oil in the shop. Another way to support the RSPB and help save nature!