Wild Bird Plots,

These provide a valuable winter food source for declining populations of farmland birds. The plots or margins contain a small seed-bearing crop tailored to meet the needs of our target bird species. These include Grey Partridge, Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, and Corn Bunting. The plots are located in sites which will benefit the target bird species and also encourage declining arable plant communities e.g. species such as Fuellens, Fumitories, Corn Marigold and Corn Chamomile.

Management includes establishing the correct seed mixture every year and following an strict pesticide and fertilizer program.

Cultivated Wild Flower Margin

These create uncropped cultivated margin strips or in-field plots both within or adjacent to arable crops. They provide suitable conditions for the germination and establishment of rare arable plants. These margins will also provide foraging areas in summer for declining farmland birds.

The Management includes cultivation to establish a firm, fine tilth in the spring and then the margin is retained without the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

Buffer strips have a wide range of potential benefits, such as: creating new habitat for small mammals, invertebrates and birds; protecting habitats from sprays, fertilizer and cultivation.

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