Farm Clusters, local action for the environment December 8, 2017Farming and wildlife Norton Suffolk, Farming with Wildlife, Norton Suffolkmike Turtle Dove in a Suffolk meadow. Streptopelia turtur Plastic dumped in the sea, butterflies disappearing, songbird numbers declining. Environmental news is relentlessly negative and depressing. But, these news stories do reflect the wider pressure on wildlife and the natural environment. Turtle Dove in a Suffolk hedge. Streptopelia turtur However on a local level it can feel different. Halls and little Haugh farms had 7 pairs of Barn owls breeding this year, the farm round my village of Westhorpe had 4 pairs of Barn owls this year. Sliver washed Fritillary butterflies scarce in Suffolk 10 years ago are spreading from Pakenham wood and last summer were commonly seen in other woods round Norton and Stowlangtoft . Purple Emperor Butterflies are appearing in Suffolk woods where they have not been seen for a 100 years. Turtle doves are in steep decline nationally but, three pairs are breeding at Badwell Green and we have seen them for the last 2 years at Halls farm Norton. I put swift boxes under the eaves of my house last winter, last summer 2 pairs of swifts used these boxes and I had dozens of fast flying screaming swifts round the house in early August, I will have to keep my head down next year. Barn owl early morning looking down in oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba All over Suffolk there are local positive wildlife success stories. Much of the decline in wildlife is rightly blamed on intensive farming. However, increased awareness by landowners and environmental protection schemes are starting to slow and sometimes reverse the damage to wildlife. Silver-washed Fritillary about to land behind, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Too often these wildlife success stories are in isolated pockets, many plants and animals can’t move away because the surrounding conditions are unfavourable. And perhaps more importantly the management and knowledge behind the success are not shared. Farm Clusters are a recent initiative that will benefit the environment and wildlife by farmers sharing their resources, knowledge, ideas and enthusiasm in local areas. A group of farmers works together to identify the environmental and wildlife aims that are achievable their area. Clusters can compliment and enhance the effects of existing agri-environment schemes. Usually one or two farmers lead the cluster so that results are delivered on a landscape level rather than an isolated local level. Brown hare stepping into dawn sun. August morning Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Modern farming is reliant on financial support from taxpayers. This has moved from production-based subsidies to payments for specific work that protects water and soil quality and the environment. The future of these payments is uncertain but, there is strong trend to base payments on the results of work done rather than just on the work itself. For example a riverside grass strip might only qualify for payment if water quality and wildlife species numbers can be shown to have improved. Any changes in the way farmers and landowners are supported will mean developing new expertise in measureing outcomes, farm clusters will help farmers deliver and measure real environmental benefits. Farm clusters have the potential to deliver quick wildlife and environmental results. Farms can cooperate to link hedges and woodland so wildlife can move along natural corridors. Field margins can be planted with the best local pollen, nectar and seed plants to feed insects and birds through the year. Ditches and rivers can be managed on a landscape level rather than a farm level to manage water levels and prevent flooding. A group of farmers in Mid Suffolk is looking at setting up a farm cluster. If this can be made to work many of the recent local isolated wildlife success stories have the potential to be magnified onto a landscape level. Swift flegling head out of box. July Suffolk. Apus apus
Wyken Hall bird count 1st September 2017 September 5, 2017Farming and wildlife Norton Suffolk, Farming with Wildlife, Norton Suffolkmike The bridleway heads west from the farm on the edge of Stanton towards Walsham le Willows, I have used this track for many years and have seen it change. The hedges have been allowed to grow, the verges are wide, brambles and nettles are not all cut back, there are many wild flowers in the shorter track edge. Ponds and a water reservoir have been established. Around Wyken Hall farm some arable land has been put down to grass and fenced for animal grazing, many new trees and hedges have also been planted round the hall. Un-grazed grassland is managed for hay, wild flowers thrive here. Bridleway at Wyken Hall In mid August on a hot Sunday afternoon I took the dog for a walk down the bridleway, wheat was being harvested from the field south of the track, changeable weather has made for a challenging harvest. As I headed away from Wyken Hall the track edge was rich with late summer flowers and despite the sounds of harvest bees and dragonflies could be heard. But, most noticeable were the late summer butterflies ranging from common whites and blousy brimstones and on the shorter grassland flowers small heaths and coppers. Elusive Purple hairstreaks were in the high oak leaves, red admirals and painted ladies soared boldly from flower to flower. Wide field margin managed for wildlife I met Kenneth Carlisle earlier in the summer on a farm walk to promote turtle dove conservation in Suffolk’s black bourn valley, he asked me to survey the birds at Wyken Hall estate. 1st of September I started at sunrise when the birds are more active and vocal. Although I have been given access to the whole estate for this first count it was hardly necessary to leave the bridleway for the hour and half I was counting. Even though the farm is managed in an environmentally positive way I was surprised by the number of birds I saw and heard. Perhaps the spotted flycatcher family and the pair of nuthatches were the most memorable from the morning. Pond at Wyken Hall Flower rich grassland at Wyken Hall September is probably too late to survey turtle doves, many of them will have already started their autumn migration to West Africa. I saw no turtle doves 1st September at Wyken but, I will search for them again next spring. Bird count Wyken Hall 1st September 2017 Fenced grassland at Wyken Hall
Summer Hares summer weather July 11, 2017Brown Hares, seasons at Norton Suffolk, Farming and wildlife Norton Suffolk, Farming with Wildlife, Norton Suffolk, Life and Landscape in East Angliamike The brown hares that live round Norton Suffolk emerge from the hedges and long grass at dawn and dusk. These photographs represent their lives in low light and ever changing weather conditions. Brown hare sitting close at sunset. June Suffolk. Lepus europae Brown hare sitting and looking back at dusk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare sitting and looking behind grass at dusk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare sitting behind grass at dusk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare coming forward at dusk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare having a private moment. Lepus europaeus Brown hare pair forward and back. Lepus europaeus Brown hare pair standing sitting low. Lepus europaeus Brown hare pair close. Lepus europaeus Brown hare pair eating and washing. Lepus europaeus Brown hare pair sitting and walking. Lepus europaeus Brown hare, rainy evening. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare standing in the rain evening. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare running through grass, rainy evening. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare eating grass, rainy evening. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare standing rye grass wet evening. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare standing tall wet evening. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare paused on a track, rainy evening. July Suffolk. Lepus Brown hare standing wet evening. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare checking the track, rainy evening. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare running in wet grass. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare creeping forward on dry grass. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare stretch and yawn on dry grass. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare big stretch on dry grass. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare not hiden from front on dry grass. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare not hiden on dry grass. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare ear paused with sunset daisies. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare big back stretch on dry grass. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare ear cleaning on dry grass. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare private moment on dry grass. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare sitting close at night fall. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare poised to leave at night fall. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare poised on track at night fall. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare creeping on track at night fall. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare sitting on track at night fall. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare turned away at night fall. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare looking aside at night fall. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare eating wheat at night fall. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare leveret next to groundsel. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare leveret approaching groundsel. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare sitting btweeen oats and maize. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare foot up between oats and maize. July Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hares bold and nervous at dusk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare sitting on the turn at sunset. June Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown hare sitting by grass at sunset. June Suffolk. Lepus europaeus
Summer Barn owls in Oak trees July 9, 2017Barn owls in Suffolk, Birds in the british landscape, Farming with Wildlife, Norton Suffolk, Life and Landscape in East Angliamike Barn Owls can be seen hunting the rich field margins of Little Haugh and Halls farms in the long summer evenings. The hedges are punctuated with old oak trees, many with hollows where the owls can nest and roost in. Barn owl early morning foot up in oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl over branch in morning oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl early morning looking down in oak. July Suffolk. Tyto aBarn owl early morning looking down in oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl in early morning light on oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl looking through leaves in morning oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl itch in middle of morning oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl lookng down in middle of morning oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl pair argument in middle of morning oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl pair in middle of morning oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl looking back in morning oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl morning wing stretch vole on oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl with morning vole on oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl side on with vole June morning, Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl looking with vole June morning, Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl with vole June morning, Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl with vole turns away, Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl foot up in morning oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl looking out from morning oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl early morning yawn in oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl looking round on oak branch. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl looking back early morning on oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl early morning about to fly from oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl looking back on branch deep in summer oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl alert on branch deep in summer oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl on the bounce deep in summer oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl on the prowl deep in summer oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl wing out deep in summer oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Three Barn owls deep in summer oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl on large branch deep in summer oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl on branch deep in summer oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl pair looking deep in summer oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl pair deep in summer oak. July Suffolk. Tyto alba
Life in Pakenham wood June 28, 2017Farming and wildlife Norton Suffolk, Farming with Wildlife, Norton Suffolk, Life and Landscape in East Angliamike Pakenham wood is an ancient woodland that was replanted in the 20th century with softwood. Despite this some of the native hardwood trees and much of the typical woodland plants have survived. Pakenham wood is being restored by gradually removing the softwood and allowing the native trees and plants re-establish. Even before the work started the wood was one of the best places to see Silver-washed fritillary butterflies in SE England. Careful management of the woodland rides has allowed the butterflies adult and caterpillar food plants to thrive. Large numbers of Silver-washed fritillary and White admiral butterflies flying in Summer 2017 are an early indication of the success of the restoration and management. New ponds dug in the wood have encouraged water loving insects and plants. The ponds have also been colonised by newts. The photos below were taken during a morning walk in Pakenham wood 26th June 2017. Silver-washed Fritillary in morning sun, June Suffolk. Argynni White admiral feeding on bramble flowers. June Suffolk. Limenitis camilla Silver-washed Fritillary morning feed, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Dragonfly inflating wings, June Suffolk Silver-washed Fritillary pair with hover fly approach, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Dragonfly newly emerged with casing, June Suffolk Silver-washed Fritillary in morning sun and shade, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary about to land, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Dragonfly newly emerged waiting for morning sun, June Suffolk Silver-washed Fritillary feeding and fly by, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary feeding on thistle, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary feeding with bee, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary back flight, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary pair with hover fly, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary feeding confusion, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary feeding up and down, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary flying in hazel, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary about to land behind, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary back fly past, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary backlit feeding, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary pair sundance, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary pair in chase, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary side approach, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary flying approach, June Suffolk. Argynnis paphia
October Bird Counts at Halls & Little Haugh Farms October 31, 2016Farming with Wildlife, Norton Suffolkmike I walk round Halls and Little Haugh Farms at Norton Suffolk several times a week especially since my horse has retired and gone to live with the Honeywood’s old pony at Halls Farm. Rye waiting during Sky Lark count little Haugh 12th Oct 2016 bird count Halls farm Norton 28th Oct 2016 bird count Little Haugh farm Norton There always seem to be “more birds around” but, in terms of evidence this is meaningless. The British Trust for Ornithology surveyed the bird population of the UK between 2007 – 2011 the “Bird Atlas” , I took part in this survey. I counted the birds in 1km Squares fours times a year for 1 or 2 hours along with 100s of other people all over the UK. The BTO Bird Atlas is the best evidence we have of the UK bird population. Orchard at Little Haugh farm during bird count I will follow this plan to survey the birds at Halls and Little Haugh. I will try to walk the same route at least 4 times a year and count the birds I see. The results of my first walks can be seen here. My walk at Halls farm took just over an hour, Little Haugh I walked further for nearly 2 hours. This is the main reason I saw more birds at Little Haugh. 0G1P3140Little Haugh farm during bird count There is commercial game bird shoot over both farms because of this I have not counted the pheasants and red legged partridges I saw on the walks even though many of these birds are nesting and breeding on the farms. Dug out wasp nest, field edge Little Haugh
Farm payments, money for nothing? October 24, 2016Farming with Wildlife, Norton Suffolkmike Payments to farmers and land owners is a news story that is repeated every year and often has negative spin. Farm payments were first started to increase food production and decrease reliance on imported food. In the first half of the 20th century huge amounts of land were left unfarmed because it was cheaper to import food. Farmer’s payments used to be linked to production and they got a guaranteed price for their products. This led to over production; the infamous grain and Butter Mountains were one of the results of this policy. Farmers now get market prices for their products, these prices change dramatically depending on world production. In low price years many farms loose money on their crops and the farm payments keep them in business. This is especially true for smaller and upland farms. The payments are now linked to environmental and landscape management, these include; controlling water pollution, soil quality, maintaining hedges and wildlife protection. Even the simplest “Basic Payment Scheme” has to be applied for every year and the farmers must show they are following the rules. Many farmers and landowners apply for higher payments including “Countryside Stewardship” which has different “Tiers” and further rules. These can include flood management and restoring wildlife habitat. For most farmers the payments they get are an essential part of their income. Making sure the “Basic Payment Scheme” application is made correctly is vital but complicated and many farmers employ consultants to make their applications. The compliance rules include the width of field margins, when hedges can be cut, which type of crops can be grown and water used for irrigation. If these rules are not kept payments can be withheld. The compliance rules are there for good environmental reasons however, many farmers and landowners just see them as hurdles that have to jumped. Without a commitment to the spirit of the compliance rules many of the environmental benefits are not being delivered. To get an understanding of the complexity of the compliance rules have a look at some of links below. Farmers and landowners are not getting money for doing nothing! https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/countryside-stewardship-get-paid-for-environmental-land-management https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/546336/BPS_2016_scheme_rules_FINAL__DS_.pdf https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-countryside-stewardship-facilitation-fund
Norton Moths July 12, 2016Farming and wildlife Norton Suffolk, Farming with Wildlife, Norton Suffolk, Surveys and counts, what is about?mike Standing in the orchard at Halls farm on warm summer evening butterflies give way to many more moths as the sun sets. Some of these moths are big and colourful many more are small fast and very difficult to identify especially as it gets dark. 5 spot Burnet moth in Halls farm orchard There are about 2500 species of moths in the UK, 900 of these are the bigger or macro moths many of which are large and beautiful. All these different moths need different habitats to live in and plants to feed on. The number of different species and total count of moths found give a good a good indication of the health and diversity of a local environment. Because most moths come out at night they are hard to see. However, most moths are attracted by light, especially “blue light’. This summer we have running a moth trap at Halls and LLH farms Norton to record the moths living here. Indentifying the moths in the trap at Halls farm We run the trap over night and the following morning identify the macro moths caught and the number of each species. On this page I will try to, post the recording we make through the summer. The trap is run once or twice a week and the moths released after they have been recorded. The moths settle on egg boxes in the trap and are usually quiet early morning before the sun warms them up. Moths in the trap early July Depending on how keen we get we will try to run the trap in different parts of the farms to get an overall picture of the moths living on the farms. Sept 14th 2016 Moth count Halls Farm Norton Moths HALLS FARM 24/8/16 15th August Halls farm Norton 6th August Halls farm Norton Halls farm Norton 30/7/16 page1 Halls farm Norton 30/7/16 page2 Halls farm Norton 30/7/16 page3 Halls farm Norton 31/7/16 page1 Halls farm Norton 31/7/16 page2 Halls farm Norton 31/7/16 page3 23th July 2016 moth count Little Haugh grain store Norton 20th July 2016 moth count Little Haugh grain store Norton Moth count Halls farm 18th July 2016 Moth list Halls farm 10th July 2016 Moth list Halls farm 9th July 2016 Moth list Halls farm 5th July 2016 Moth list Halls farm 25th June 2016 Moth list Halls farm 16th June 2016 Moth list Halls farm 12th June 2016 Moth list Halls farm 11th June 2016 Moth list Halls farm 8th June 2016 Moth list Halls farm 7th June 2016
Norton Barn owls, 2016 a good breeding year? July 8, 2016Barn owls in Suffolk, Farming with Wildlife, Norton Suffolk, Surveys and counts, what is about?mike Barn owl picking up vole from right foot. Cloudy June evening. Tyto alb Are the Norton Barn owls having a successful nesting season? The short answer is yes, we have checked over half the know nest site at Little Haugh and Halls farms and so far found six breeding pairs. 20% of the land on the farms is managed for wildlife as well as for the commercial game bird shoot. The wide rough field verges, woodland and grassland are all ideal for hunting Barn owls. However, lack of nest sites was a problem that we tackled in autumn 2014 by erecting 15 new boxes, this summer 10 of the new nest boxes show signs of Barn owl use and 3 have been used by Tawny owls. Barn Owl young in new Barn owl box Over the next few days we will be checking the older nest boxes on the farms. These boxes are higher up and more difficult to see into, I tend to put them off to last but, I will check them and let you know if we find any more breeding pairs. The 2 broods in the photos have only two young owls. This may be due to the cold wet spring and that the adult Barn owls are young and inexperienced. However, the adults are now catching voles and mice in good numbers and the boxes are quite smelly from the voles waiting to be eaten! Barn owl young in new Barn owl box 2nd brood The longest established Barn owl nest site on the farms is deep inside the Halls farm Straw barn. In the last few days Steve Honeywood has seen 4 young owls being fed on top of one of the bales. It will not be long before the young owls leave and it is probable that this pair will have a second brood, we will keep watching. Barn owls boxes, good for hornets too
Should we be subsidising this action? March 16, 2016Farming with Wildlife, Norton Suffolkmike Farmers in the UK receive subsidy every year called the “The Single Payment Scheme”. The scheme is not linked to production but farmers must meet “cross-compliance” standards and demonstrate that they are keeping their land in “Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition” Ditch canalised, thick old hedge flattened, green field edge gone The standards of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition relate to issues of soil erosion, soil structure, soil organic matter and set minimum levels of maintenance so as to avoid the deterioration of habitats and protection and management of water. In Suffolk these standards are clearly open to interpretation. These photos are typical of the work being done during the winter on many farms receiving the “The Single Payment”. Old green lane and possible ancient hedges turned into row of standard trees Ditches are dug out sometimes over 3 metres deep into the clay subsoil. Old over grown hedges are cut down to ground level with the exception of the odd “standard tree”, any hedge re-growth is prevented by annual cutting. Green field edges that are part of “cross-compliance” are reduced to liquid mud by ditch spoil and heavy hedge cutting tractors. On most Suffolk arable farms over 95% of the land is in arable production and of little wildlife or environmental value. If the remaining 5% of land consisting of hedges, field edges and ditches is heavily managed in the winter these farms become wildlife deserts. close up of “management work” done to old green land and hedgerow The improved drainage that results from the deep bare channel like ditches runs straight into rivers and then into the East Anglia fens which at sea level are very vulnerable to flooding. The bare or sparsely vegetated ditches also lead to increased nitrogen pollution. The activity shown in these photos are not a once only action. Ditches are scoured regularly leading to increased run of water at flood prone times. Hedges and verges are cut back hard on all sides every year seriously degrading their environmental and wildlife value. It is hard to see how this sort of action meets the spirit of the cross compliance standards and should be rewarded with public subsidy. In addition this farm is used for farm demonstrations by Frontier Agriculture Ltd and is visited by many farmers. It is hard to see how some of the management practices on are in line with Frontier’s stated environmental policies. http://www.frontierag.co.uk/about-us/corporate-and-social-responsibility.aspx