Our local farmer, Henry Edmunds of Cholderton Estate, has reached the final 4 in the national Nature of Farming Awards!! Henry does an incredible amount for wildlife on his estate, and works very closely with the RSPB, including the staff at Winterbourne Downs. Of course, we think he deserves to win, and it would be great if you could help us by voting for him. You can do this by following this link to the RSPB website: www.rspb.org.uk/farmvote

Henry’s 1,600ha organic mixed farm provides an abundance of invertebrate life during the breeding season. Thick species-rich hedgerows and strategically placed wide grass margins provide nest sites for many species including yellowhammer and grey partridge, and providing good hunting for the many owls and raptors on the farm. The farm supports 11 red-listed species, including turtle dove, in the outreaches of this threatened bird’s range in England.

The farm hosts as extraordinary number of butterflies and moths, with 34 breeding butterfly species including the Small and Adonis Blue, Dingy and Grizzled Skippers, and the brown hairstreak, which only occurs in a couple of other places in Wiltshire and Hampshire.

The grasslands, nectar flower mixes and floristically enhanced margins provide valuable sources of pollen for many insects, attracting 14 of the 16 species of bumblebee. The large pond teems with wildlife, with nesting little grebe and masses of toads that gather to spawn every year in a seething spectacle. The arable fields shelter Brown Hare and Harvest Mice, and the Common Lizard has recently seen a resurgence after few sightings for many years.

Henry’s farm management style is the essence of sustainability. He carefully plans his crop production to provide fodder and nutritious supplements for his dairy cattle and sheep, and no crops are sold off-farm.

The farm has long been an important local employer, and excellent profitability is essential to support the large number of staff working on the farm. They have also diversified to include rented premises for light industry and a farm shop, all helping to boost the local economy.

Henry is an all round naturalist, and his enthusiasm for nature is contagious. He has always been a keen advocate of the stewardship schemes that he says have helped him to maintain and increase numbers of many farmland birds that are declining elsewhere. He passionately promotes the ethos of sustainable and organic farming, and loves nothing more than to show people around his farm, teaching them how they can make a difference on their own farms. Visitors, from schools and colleges to wildlife trusts and natural history groups now come from far and wide to enjoy the variety of habitats and soak up the wildlife.

To find out more about Henry and his work, check out his website: www.cholderton-estate.co.uk, or for those of you on face book, check out the Cholderton Estate facebook group!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/126360094109668/

Thank you!



 

 Keeley