Natural England - Cumbrian success for breeding wading birds
Cumbrian success for breeding wading birds
12 October 2009
Cumbrian success story for breeding wading bird populations including curlews, lapwings, redshank and snipe.
The results of seven years of survey work focused on breeding wading bird populations will be announced at a joint Natural England, RSPB and Cumbria Bird Club conference in Penrith this week.
The survey data, recorded by 15 volunteers working with farmers participating in Natural England’s agri-environment schemes provides vital information about breeding waders such as lapwing, redshank, snipe and curlew and records populations and changes in habitat found on 17 farms across Cumbria, covering an area of more than 325 hectares of wetland in agri-environment schemes.
Funded by Natural England and the Cumbria Biodiversity Partnership small project grant, the conference, which will highlight the success of agri-environment schemes in the region, aims to assist farm advisers with the selection and management of land best suited for breeding waders.
Feedback will be provided on the survey data whilst the conference will provide an opportunity for delegates including farmers, land agents and consultants as well as Natural England Farm Advisors, RSPB staff, Surveyors and the Cumbria Bird Club to discuss reasons for changes in numbers of breeding waders.
Ewan Nugent, Delivery Leader for Natural England’s agri-environment programme, commented: “The survey data for Cumbria is very encouraging and shows that most sites are performing well, having maintained numbers of breeding wading birds, set against a national decline, whilst others have increased numbers. This valuable information has enabled Natural England to target new wet grassland agri-environment schemes more effectively through Higher Level Stewardship (HLS).
The average value of an HLS agreement in the Northwest, in its first year, is more than £18k. We would encourage farmers and landowners with Breeding Wading birds on their land, to look at the funding that is available to them through HLS and contact their local Natural England office for more details.”
Frank Mawby, Wader Study Group chair of the Cumbria Bird Club said: “This is a unique and innovative project which has enabled the surveyors to report on both the breeding waders and their habitat. We have also built good relationships with the farmers who are very keen to see curlews, lapwings, redshanks and snipes back on their land.”
Tim Youngs, RSPB Conservation Officer said, 'The RSPB is pleased to be jointly organising the 'Breeding Waders of Wet Grassland and Agri-Environment Schemes' conference, along with the Cumbria Bird Club and Natural England.
The bird monitoring scheme has generated a very valuable dataset over the last 7 years, from which we have pulled out 'best practice guidelines' which we can share with farm advisers and farmers at the conference. These 'best practice guidelines' will help us work together to restore landscape-scale wetlands in key areas of Cumbria, to benefit birds, other wildlife and people.”
Bob Timmins, Natural England Conservation Adviser, said: “Thanks to the survey data collected, Natural England advisers now have much more technical and detailed knowledge available which is invaluable when making decisions about prospective Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreements.”
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. Tel: 0300 060 1113.
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Notes for editors:
Photo Opportunity: To arrange photography at the event please contact Frank Mawby Tel: 07970 206164
Breeding Waders of Wet Grassland and Agri-Environment Schemes Conference
The Conference will be at CREA, Redhills, Penrith on Thursday 15th October, where over 80 Farmers, Land Agents, Consultants, Natural England Farm Advisors, RSPB staff, the Surveyors and Cumbria Bird Club members will hear presentations on the national status of breeding wading birds, opportunities for restoring large scale wetlands through the England ‘Wetland Vision’ and of course the results of the breeding wading bird surveys. Speakers will include key Natural England staff, RSPB staff, a Farmer with land in the scheme since 2002 and Cumbria Bird Club volunteer surveyors.
Breeding wading bird (and wetland habitat) surveys are undertaken 6 times a year on 17 farms. The surveys were initiated in 2002 and are unique, involving 15 volunteers who give up considerable amounts of time to gather the important bird data. The farmers who are involved also give a significant time commitment and are dedicated to ensuring that their schemes deliver. Working with Natural England, this data is used to help determine if the wetland sites are meeting their objectives. Feedback is given to farmers and management tweaked if necessary.
The RSPB run two breeding wading bird projects in Cumbria - the Cumbria Wetlands Project, a partnership between the RSPB, The Environment Agency and Natural England and the Lake District Breeding Wader Project, a partnership between the Lake District National Park and Natural England.
Both projects aim to restore wet grassland habitat for breeding wading birds and offer farmers advice and help with agri-environment schemes in key areas of Cumbria (where breeding wader populations still occur) including the Solway Plain, Morecambe Bay and the Duddon valley. For more information outside the Lake District National Park, contact Tonia Armer (Cumbria Wetlands Project) on 07921740741 or Catriona Glendinning for areas inside the National Park on 07734985957.
The Cumbria Bird Club has a membership of over 250 bird watchers including amateur ornithologists and organises a wide range of bird surveys such as the very comprehensive Cumbria breeding Atlas and wintering bird atlas. The club has a substantial archive and regularly supplies data to a wide range of environmental impact studies. A regular newsletter is produced and the Annual Bird and Natural History Report. www.cumbriabirdclub.org.uk
Natural England
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. www.naturalengland.org.uk
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
Further Information please contact: Will Herman Tel: 07919 303452
