A Helping Hand for Farmland Birds
13 January 2010
The winter months can be a testing time for man and beast alike and the recent freeze has proved exceptionally tough for all. The severe conditions have posed many threats during the course of the last few weeks; starvation being one of the greatest risks for farmland birds especially.
Of the 19 species that make up the Farmland Bird Index, 12, including such iconic species as the curlew, grey partridge, lapwing, snipe and skylark are almost entirely dependent upon farming practices that provide suitable habitat and a viable food source during the winter months.
Whilst these species have been shown to be making a recovery in parts of Northwest England, their numbers overall have declined by more than 50% since 1970*, in no small part due to scarcity of winter food.
Funding through Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agri-environment scheme is now helping farmers and landowners halt this decline.
With HLS payments being made to farmers and land owners for a wide range of options which include sowing wild bird seed mixtures, with seed bearing plants kale, quinoa and millet, and overwintering cereal stubbles, food and habitat is now more widely available for farmland birds than at any time in the last four decades.
Liz Newton, Natural England’s Northwest Regional Director said: “The freezing temperatures we have seen recently illustrate just how important it is to manage our land in a way that provides food for farmland birds. The planting of wild bird seed mixtures and overwintering of stubbles will see many arable birds through difficult times this winter.
“Where farmers and land owners are committed to the management of farmland bird habitats through Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship schemes, results can be spectacular, with large flocks of birds, often in the hundreds, visiting the seed mixes and stubbles.”
Ewan Nugent, Delivery Leader for Natural England’s agri-environment programme, said: “With a large number of HLS agreements in place throughout the Northwest, we are working with farmers and landowners to increase the area planted per farm (to approximately 2ha) and the number plots. This will ensure more winter food for arable birds is available for longer.
“Excellent levels of funding are available for all our Environmental Stewardship schemes including HLS and we are keen to discuss all options available with interested parties.
“So far this year the average value of an HLS agreement has been £22,500. With agreements lasting ten years, this level of income provides an excellent diversification opportunity.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
*Farmland Bird Index 1970 - 2006
Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Stewardship (ES) replaced the Countryside Stewardship (CSS) Scheme in 2005. ES is an agri-environment scheme which provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England who deliver effective environmental management on their land.
Environmental Stewardship (ES) is designed to build on the recognised success of the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme and the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Its primary objectives 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
Natural resource protection
Environmental Stewardship has three elements:
Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) provides a straightforward approach to supporting the good stewardship of the countryside through simple and effective land management that goes beyond the Single Payment Scheme requirement to maintain land in good agricultural and environmental condition. It is open to all farmers and landowners.
Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) is the organic strand of ELS. It is geared to organic and organic/conventional mixed farming systems and is open to all farmers not receiving Organic Farming Scheme aid.
Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) concentrates on the more complex types of management where land managers need advice and support and where agreements will be tailored to local circumstances. HLS applications will assessed against specific local targets and agreements will be offered where they meet these targets and represent good value for money.
Higher Level Stewardship
Natural England recently launched a new approach to the targeting of funds through the Higher Level of Environmental Stewardship (ES) schemes. Anyone wishing to register their interest in an HLS scheme should contact their usual land agent or local Natural England office in the first instance.
North West (Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria)
Natural England
PO Box 380
Crewe CW1 6YH
Tel: 0300 060 1113 Fax: 0300 060 1123
Email: iss.crewe@naturalengland.org.uk
For further information contact: Will Herman North West Regional Communications on 07919 303452
William.herman@naturalengland.org.uk
