Barn owls hunt by sound and fly silently but their silent feathers are not waterproof. This is why the Suffolk Barn owls have been hunting at all times of the day for the last few months, they are trying to avoid the rain that soaks their feathers and wind that stops them hearing small rodents. However, up to now I have often seen them catching field voles, this makes a change from the lack of voles last spring.

Barn owl hunting small Suffolk meadow March morning Tyto alba

March and April are important months for Barn owls if they are going to breed successfully. The females must gain enough weight to be able produce eggs later in the spring. As we run into March in Suffolk the mornings have been frosty and even snow is forecast, this makes a change from the mild stormy weather we had up to now. It remains to be seen if the changing weather effects the field vole population, this in turn will decide if the Barn owls have a good breeding year or not.

Barn owl over small Suffolk meadow March morning Tyto alba

So far this March the signs are good and the Barn owls are still catching plenty of voles. I will keep watching, the next few weeks will dictate the Suffolk owls have a good year or not.

Although the last week has been cold the sun has come out and the rain stopped, day-light has pulled out to be longer than night time. The Brown hares at Halls and Little Haugh farms have started to be much more visible. During the short winter days they rest in the tangled hedge bottoms and thick field margins only coming out to eat in darkness.

Brown hare pair mad June box early morning. June Suffolk. Lepus europaeus

The drier fields and growing winter cereal crops have drawn out the Brown hares into the early spring sun. They are often in pairs or sometimes bigger groups of more than ten hares. Prospective couples have started to chase each other and I have already seen two pairs mating in the distance.

It will not be long before boxing will become a common sight on the farms but, boxing at Norton is more likely to be seen in later spring or early summer. The recent cold dry weather has slowed growth but the winter crops are well advanced and any warmth and sun will make them race away hiding the hares in long growth.

On a practical note most of my brown hare photos are taken from mobile hides, these do like the strong winds and can often be found on the other side of a field tangled in a hedge if left out in windy conditions.

Hopefully as the weather calms down and days get longer the hides can go back up and I will be able to watch and photograph the Hare’s spring boxing and other action. Keep coming back to see what happens.

Brown hare sitting in cow parsley. May evening Suffolk. Lepus europeanus

Large flocks of finches and linnets are disturbed when I walk round Halls and Little Haugh farms; on one water logged field last winter more than 60 snipe were counted as we squelched across it. There just seem to be more birds about both species and numbers than there are on most Suffolk farms. However, “more about” and one off counts are not good scientific evidence and do not prove anything.

Mist netting to trap birds for ringing

John Walshe started working at Halls farm a year ago as a forklift driver, John has an enviable knowledge of birds and is a licensed bird ringer. John started to regularly hang out long mist nets on the farm, the caught birds are identified, aged, sexed and weighed. John is part of a UK wide volunteer army recording much of what we know about the bird population, the British Trust for Ornithology collects, interprets and reports this information. Ringing is only one method used, the most recent and comprehensive Breeding birds survey was published in 2013. This was based on volunteers recording the birds seen in 1 Km squares four times a year for three years. Government and other organisations use BTO bird surveys to help make conservation and other environmental decisions.

Bird caught in net

Over the last year John has built up a detailed picture of the birds at the orchard at Halls farm; species, population, resident or transient and breeding is indicated from the information he has collected. Winter 2014 / 15 John caught 21 species and 625 individual birds. Some caught birds already had rings. A goldfinch had been ringed in Yorkshire, several green finches were ringed in other parts of Suffolk.

Taking a bird from the net

I found it striking how many species stay in the same place. John is ringing in the orchard at Halls farm, a two hundred metres away there is a flock of more then 20 reed buntings in a hedge and game mix field, John only ringed 5 last winter showing that they hardly move from one location. The farm has many breeding skylarks that are resident all year, none were ringed last winter.  This indicates how important even small patches of land are to many species, hedges trimmed at the wrong time or verges cut down will destroy food and shelter for local bird populations.

birds are taken from the net and put in bags for recording and ringing

Trapping and ringing birds is a useful tool for mapping populations but has limitations and other survey techniques can be used like the counting used in the BTO Breeding birds surveys. Ringers are always adamant that trapping and ringing does no harm. However, being caught in a net then handled and ringed should be assumed to have an effect and there should be clear reason before any bird is ringed.

Too often trapping and ringing is undertaken by well meaning people who although licensed, act independently, “surveying their own patch” almost as a recreational pursuit. The decline in bird populations has been extremely well documented and it is difficult to understand why the same issue has to be repeat ably shown. Arguably the BTO should only issue ringing licences if there is need for specific information to fill in gaps in our scientific knowledge. For example; “bird in hand” photos on Facebook and birding websites of rare migrants caught in coastal ringing nets after a long over sea flight, seems more like “trophy ticking” than the collecting of useful scientific information. Ringing as a useful tool is in danger of being undermined by over enthusiastic individuals.

Ring being put on a birds leg

John’s evidence from ringing and recording at Halls farm has confirmed that the farm orchard has a greater than average number of bird species. This helps show that Halls and Little Haugh farms partnership with Jordan’s cereals farms which includes devoting 10% of the land to wildlife conservation is helping to increase wildlife diversity.

The pond is in a corner where two rides cross in Pakenham Wood. It was dug out four years ago one morning when Robert had borrowed a digger, it is about 30 metres by 6 metres at its widest point. The land in the wood is heavy clay so water naturally fills any deeper depressions.

looking at wildlife in the pond

We had come up to the wood because Jordans, who are supplied with oats from the farms, want to change the way the 10% of the land managed as wildlife habitats are assessed. Alison Cross from the Wildlife trusts and Anthony Goggin from Leaf wanted to look at what is being done on the farms.

In July, Pakenham Wood has Silver-washed Fritillaries and White Admiral butterflies gliding up and down the rides; these had already distracted us. We then got to the pond, at first glance nothing special, reeds growing at the deeper end and lower plants in the shallow end. Then the chaser dragonflies started to dip eggs into the pond surface, the more delicate damselflies could be seen and water boatmen were on the surface. We stood and watched.

Siver-washed Fritillary and white admiral feeding on a hot July day. Suffolk. Argynnis paphia

Reeds are growing out of the deeper water, and despite the still air the dead brown leaf on the reed base moved and then split open. This was a dragonfly emerging from a larval stage that had climbed up the reed. This had a near hypnotic effect on us, as within 30 minutes the small stubby green wings had grown to full size and dried, the dragonfly suddenly took its first confident flight. A closer look at the reeds revealed more hatching dragonflies and of lots their empty brown cases.

Southern hawker just emerged, July morning Suffolk. Aeshna cyanea

The pond water is clear and we could see the larval dragonflies climbing up underwater but they were not alone. The small four legged animals were Great crested newts and it is likely that we were the first people to have seen them in this relatively new pond. The newts shared the underwater space with round water beetles including the large great water beetle.

Southern hawker almost ready to go, July morning Suffolk. Aeshna cyanea

The plan had been to start see how the different habitats on the farm complemented each other, for example how the thick hedges with wide margins acted as wildlife corridors through the farm. However we had spent nearly two hours transfixed by a new small pond and lunch was waiting at the pub.

Great crested newt in the pond

After lunch we tried to be more focused, looking at the way the farms growing Jordans oats can get maximum wildlife benefit and diversity from the 10% land not in agricultural production. Despite the farm being part of a game bird shoot we came across a flattened field margin. This, dead rabbit remains and a characteristic smell were sure signs of young foxes playing in July sunshine.

Heading back for lunch from Pakenham wood

Back at the farm office Robert the shoot gamekeeper was vaguely interested about where the fox litter he had seen in the spring had moved to but he was far too busy with young game birds to be bothered by young foxes. As we told him about the pond he let slip one of his rare smiles. The pond had just been an afterthought, just making use of a digger being used for drainage work on the farm. Like us, Robert was amazed by the life we had seen. Alison Cross suggested that he dig another pond close by which will take over from our pond as it silts and chokes up in the next few years.

What we had seen on one July day was how a couple of hours digging a new pond has been richly rewarded and that tolerance of untidiness allows wildlife, including foxes, to thrive on two productive farms and a commercial game bird shoot.

Red fox with a “big old dog rat” June morning Suffolk. Vulpes vulpes

Frontier Agriculture’s people are probably unaware of the environmental impact of their farm demonstration days. Frontier organises open days on the farms where test plots are grown of its seed varieties. These test days are attended by hundreds of farmers who want to view the test plots and meet with Frontier staff and other growers.

Frontier agriculture demonstration farm open day

I live near one farm that Frontier uses and the demonstration takes place over two days in mid-June. In preparation for this the farmer has all the verges round the farm cut back, this includes trimming deep into the ditches on the farm. In addition many of the hedges are cut back. The intention appears to be to make the farm look neat and tidy.

It is of course vital that the prime arable land in Suffolk is as productive as possible and over 95% of the farm’s land is cropped and farmed very efficiently to produce food.

Verge and ditch mown down mid June, flowers and ground nesting birds gone

The remaining few percent of the land not in production are the field and road edges and the hedges, these are the only places where wildlife can live. Plantlife the wild flower charity states that road and field verges are now the most important wild flower habitats in England. Virtually all unimproved hay meadows in Suffolk have been ploughed up. Road and field verges are now the only place where wild flowers can be found. The verges are also home to ground nesting birds including game birds. Many songbirds are still nesting in hedges in mid-June.

Hedge cut back in Mid June when birds are still nesting

Cutting road and field verges in mid-June prevents wild flowers from producing seeds, so annual and biannual flowers cannot reproduce. Many wild and game bird young are abandoned and starve when hedges and verges are trimmed too early.

Grass verges and hedges do need managing. If verges are cut back in July, like old hay meadows used to be, wild flowers can seed and thrive. If hedges are left until birds have fledged in mid-July no harm is caused to them.

Left hand verge managed by another farm, Flowers left to seed, cover for ground nesting birds

Road users complain that the road verges grow high. In part this due to the high loads of fertiliser spread on them. Frontier wants the test plots to look good, but the fertiliser is spread so wide that even the roads look like hail has fallen during the spring.

Frontier could put more substance behind the environmental statements on their website. Demonstration farms do not need their grass and wild flower verges made to look like lawns and their hedges trimmed in mid June. More effort can be made to target the application of fertiliser and sprays to the crops and keep it off verges, field margins and roads. These actions are cost neutral and will bring a significant environmental benefit. If this was promoted as good practice to the landowners who come to the open days, Frontier could make a really positive environmental impact with very little effort.

Song birds shot in thousands as they migrate. The last few years the headlines have been from Malta and this year the RAF land on Cypress was the main focus. The images of “hunters” with shot swallows and turtledoves are guaranteed to generate anger, indignation and calls of “something must be done”. The hunters say they have always shot migrating birds, “it’s tradition”. However they have more and much better guns and more time for shooting and kill far more than they traditionally did.

Green lane hedges cut back on all sides degrading a once rich wildlife area

It is very easy to blame bad men from other places for the declining bird population. But, environmental evidence on the decline of wildlife in the UK always points at loss of habitat as the main cause. What does habitat loss mean and should our anger and calls for “something to be done” be better directed towards what we can do?

Village hedge, bottom growth rooted out reducing value for birds and insects

Habitat loss is a direct result of what we do in our gardens, farms and shared spaces. In and around my village I can see the result of our decisions. The churchyard is mowed nearly every week starting in the spring, primroses and other wild flowers are fewer every year and in some parts even the grass has been taken over by moss. The old yew tree has been cut down, it used to provide food, shelter and nest sites. The spiky growth round the bottom of the limes trees is cut away again destroying food and shelter. Only the newer graves need to be mowed every week, the older part of the churchyard could be managed like a hay meadow allowing wild flowers to thrive providing food and shelter to birds and insects.

once primrose rich churchyard stripped of wild flowers by over mowing

Village hedges are cut back vigorously even during the nesting season, any growth at the bottom is removed including the nettles that are the food for many butterflies. Lawns are cut short right to the edge this year starting in February. The little mud nests of house martins are cleared away from house eaves to prevent the mess from their droppings. Road verges in the village are mowed weekly killing most of the wild flowers.

Churchyard grass dying and taken over by moss due to over mowing

On local farms only the field margins and hedges are used by wildlife, but these have been cut right back this winter destroying food and shelter. Hedges do need to be managed but can be trimmed just on one side on a four year cycle instead of both sides and the top at the same time.

Field margin, new hedge growth and ditch stripped bare. wildlife value destroyed

Our footpaths and bridleways are mowed and cut back as much as three metres wide even during the nesting season. They have become wide lawns with little wildlife value. Road verges are cut before the wild flowers and grasses have set seed and become more sterile every year.

Lime tree stripped of base growth, once home to insects and birds

All these small decisions and actions that we take are the cause of habitat loss and a major cause of the huge decline in wildlife. The ride-on mowers and strimmers that are now the sound of summer are destroying the small wild corners that were the home to wildlife in our village.

Scrubby field corner used by butterflies flattened destroying habitat and nest sites.

We are right to be angry about people thoughtlessly shooting wild birds but we also need think about our own actions and care for the wild places in our gardens and farms so the birds that do return at least have a haven here.

Red-legged partridge, using the feeder. March Suffolk. Alectoris rufa

There are some residents and a steady stream of visitors. Two dunnock are always present but hide in the long grass and yellowhammers use it as their home base. A handsome pair of shelduck come in to top up and moorhen creep in warily. In-between these visitors, rats dart in and out cautious of the half metre of open ground. And of course there is a steady stream of red-legged partridge and pheasants filling their crops.

Moorhen pausing to look, March Suffolk. Gallinula chloropus

The feeder is on the edge of a field that has been managed for wildlife and game birds for many years. My hide is next to it so I can photograph the hares that live, and have their young, in the field. Despite the game shooting ending in January the feeders are kept filled by the gamekeeper through to early summer. Late winter and spring can be very difficult for seed eating birds. Feeding through this period helps keep them alive, healthy and better able to breed in early summer. At least two pairs of grey partridge come to the feeder; plump would be a polite description, fat more accurate.

Grey partridge puffed up early morning. March Suffolk. Perdix perdix

Between the hares there is lot more to see, the thick bramble and blackthorn at the base of the hedge not only hides partridges but also smaller wild birds. I often see a stoat; it either darts across to the waste straw dumped on the field or hunts the rats which use the feeder. I have seen it with two young rats but so far I’ve not been quick enough with my camera. It ignores the birds, rats seem to be the food of choice.

Green woodpecker feeding on mossy ground. March Suffolk. Picus viridis

The short grass around the feeder is a favourite feeding area for a green woodpecker that probes and attacks the ground looking for food just metres away from me. The ruts made by the gamekeeper’s vehicle are still full of water and shy snipe come out of the longer grass to probe the soft mud for worms and other food.

Snipe looking for food, March morning Suffolk. Gallinago gallinago

There are many more feeders dotted around both Halls and Little haugh farms, on a quick drive by the odd pheasant or partridge can be seen. But, spending a few hours next to the feeder shows that it is a hub of activity allowing both game and wild birds to survive the toughest months and be strong enough to breed in the spring.

Shelduck pair using the feeder. March Suffolk. Tadorna tadorna

Seemingly persistent winter rain stopped at the beginning of March to be replaced by persistent wind. Rain and wind are the enemies of barn owls, one soaks their feathers and the other makes it difficult for them to hear their prey deep in rough grass. The meadow backing onto the straw barn at Halls farm is sheltered from the wind by tall hedges on three sides. From early March a barn owl has come out from the straw and quartered the meadow from mid afternoon taking voles back to feed his mate who is preparing to lay eggs deep in the straw.

Barn owl flying out of winter sunset. Suffolk. Tyto alba

The Barn owl tends to follow the same circuit often pausing to listen from posts and tree branches and then slipping over the hedge to hunt in the orchard next to the farmhouse. When the wind gets too strong he stops but as soon as gusts reduce he comes back out.

Barn owl preening on post March afternoon. Suffolk. Tyto alba

Rough thick grass in the meadow is home to many voles and mice, the barn owl must have caught hundreds of them over winter but the supply seems inexhaustible. The barn owl is very territorial about this meadow, if another owl tries to hunt it is driven away with hissing screeches, one of the few times adult barn owls make a noise.

Barn owl mobbed with wing up. Winter sunset. Suffolk. Tyto alba

However, the meadow is used by other hunters, buzzards often pause in the old oak trees in the hedge, peering down looking for food, they are quite happy to eat voles as well.

Barn owl retreating from buzzard. March evening. Suffolk. Tyto alba

Last Saturday the sun had just set and I had my camera pointed at the barn owl sitting on an oak. A buzzard shot into the frame straight at the barn owl, the pair fell with the barn owl peeling off before hitting the ground. The Buzzard then came and sat in the tree next to me.

Buzzard on oak branch. March sunset Suffolk Buteo buteo

Since then the barn owl has been less bold in his daytime hunting, coming out later and for much shorter times. Perhaps the change in the hunting regime is unrelated, but it does seem to be a strong coincidence.

Eight hours to find and eat enough food to survive sixteen hours of winter night time darkness; starvation is the reason so many birds die during winter

Red-legged Partridge with frosty back. December Suffolk. Alectoris rufa

As the winter progresses, finding food gets tougher because berries and seeds become scarce. Birds that eat insects and invertebrates like spiders and worms have to work much harder. Buzzards are often seen looking for earthworms behind tractors working the fields in winter. By December when all the leaves have gone, finding warm shelter at night is a challenge. It is not hard to understand why much of intensively farmed Suffolk becomes devoid of birds during mid winter.

Sparrowhawk struggling to hunt in a thick winter hedge. Accipiter nisus

At Halls and Little Haugh farms, in addition to the game birds released for shooting there are very many wild birds trying to survive the winter. Birds like skylarks, yellow hammers and great-tits are joined by migrants; fieldfares, woodcock and redwings are escaping the even tougher conditions of northern Europe. Even in January and February birds are still common on the farms, especially on the 10% of the land out of production and used for game bird cover and wildlife habitats.

Goldcrest feeding in winter ash tree. Regulus regulus

The partridges, pheasants and ducks released for shooting in late summer have to be fed. The 100 tonnes of food spread on the ground and put in feeders is not only eaten by game birds; wild birds such as yellow hammers and reed buntings really benefit and can be seen in flocks on the farms over winter. Game bird shooting stops in January and on many shoots this means that feeding also stops and the remaining game birds have to find their own food or die. At Halls and Little Haugh farms, feeding continues until early summer so many more game birds survive and stay on the farms to nest naturally. The continued feeding is a huge benefit to the wild birds when natural food is most scarce.

Putting down a 100 tonnes of food has other effects on a complex natural system. An obvious effect is rats that thrive on the food. The gamekeeper, Robert, has to control the rat population and he does this by tunnel trapping and night shooting, poison is not used. Buzzards that are common on the shoot live mostly on rats as do the semi resident red kites. Catching a shot rat is much easier than a large healthy pheasant!

Robert has developed seed mixes for the game covers. Once sown, these areas are left for up to five years, and develop into dense growth that provides food and shelter, especially in the coldest part of the winter. Robert is replacing traditional maize belts with sorghum that provides more resilient cover in winter.

Game cover field, in it’s 4th year since it was planted

The hedges are allowed to grow taller and wider than on most farms and are only ever cut on one side at a time on a 4 or 5 year cycle. As a result, the hedges offer a huge food and shelter resource for wild birds through the winter.

The farms also have wide field margins, these are only cut when woody blackthorn growth gets too thick, sometimes only every two years. Again, all this thick cover provides food and shelter for wild and game birds.

Wide field margin, not cut for a year giving lots of thick protection

The many, often small but intelligent, management initiatives taken on the farms mean many wild and game birds are surviving the winter and will breed in the spring.

Healthy, well-fed birds use the cover for food, shelter and to hide from natural predators such as buzzards and sparrowhawks. This is a key reason why predators, which are common on the farms, do not cause significant problems.