Natural England

The yellowhammer – a threatened bird species, is flourishing at a Suffolk farm thanks to help from Natural England scheme.

Pond Farm in Mutford has created grass margins, which buffer existing hedges and woodland to create ideal nesting areas for birds.

Yellowhammers are on the UK’s red list due to a rapid decline in the UK breeding population over the last 25 years (by 50% or more).

The farm entered into the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) in 2002 and recently joined the Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), offering financial assistance to landowners and farmers who are prepared to help in actively conserving the countryside, its wildlife and historic features.

The grass margins created at the farm also attract common insects and are good habitat for small mammals such as shrews, mice and voles, which in turn provide hunting areas for barn owls.

Wild bird seed mix areas have been created, hedge restoration has been undertaken and a pond has also been restored as part of the scheme.

Farm owner Mr Warnes said: “I am a keen bird watcher and after surveying my farm I noticed really high numbers of yellowhammer, which are on the UK’s red list.

Mr Warnes recorded 12 pairs of breeding yellowhammer on the farm and 3 pairs of linnets also a Red list species.

“This is the first time linnets have bred here for many years. Its really encouraging to see how much the wildlife has flourished after making the changes adopted through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.”

Chris Hainsworth from Natural England said: “Mr Warnes runs a commercial arable unit and yet with relatively small amounts of land taken out of production he has been able to make a huge difference to wildlife on his farm.

“His sympathetic stewardship of hedges, ponds and buffer strips combined with Natural England’s financial support and guidance has made a real difference to local populations of barn owl and yellowhammer.”

Simon Tonkin, RSPB farmland adviser, said: “Farmland birds need nesting sites, chick food and winter feeding areas to thrive – a tough challenge in a year of high commodity prices and set-aside at zero per cent. The way forward has to be lots of farms taking action for birds and other farmland wildlife, and Stewardship funding is crucial.”

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

2. Environmental Stewardship was launched on 3 March 2005. It is composed of three tiers:

• Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), a whole farm scheme which aims to encourage farmers and land managers across England to deliver simple but effective environmental management;
• Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS), which is open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically;
• Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), which, when combined with ELS or OELS options, aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority areas.

3. Environmental Stewardship builds on the very best practice already evident in British farming. In particular, it takes forward Defra's two flagship agri-environment schemes, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Countryside Stewardship. The primary objectives of the new scheme are to:
Conserve wildlife (biodiversity);
Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character;
Protect the historic environment and natural resources;
Promote public access and understanding of the countryside and Natural resource protection.

For more information see: www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/es/default.htm

4. Environmental Stewardship (ES) is one of the Schemes, which operate under the England Rural Development Programme ERDP. The scheme replaced the Countryside Stewardship, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Organic Farming Schemes, which are now closed to new applicants.

5. For further information please contact the Natural England East of England press office: Linzee Kottman on 01223 533431/ 07824475359 linzee.j.kottman@naturalengland.org.uk Heather McMorland on 01733 455080, heather.mcmorland@naturalengland.org.uk Out of hours 07970 098005. www.naturalengland.org.uk

Issued on behalf of Natural England by GNN East.