Natural England

An innovative scheme to marry good farming and environmental practice is being implemented adjacent to the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve.

A partnership between Natural England and local agricultural merchant McCreath Simpson Prentice (MSP) has been developed which will allow several hundred Light Bellied Brent Geese to overwinter on fields at Beal and Goswick Farms.

Lindsifarne is the principal wintering site for the Spitsbergen race (only 6000 birds in total) half of which winter here. Once their main food resource, eelgrass, becomes depleted by late November, birds may then utilise farmland adjacent to the reserve. The open fields at Beal are especially favoured, above all when winter barley is available. In recent years, several hundred birds may be on the farm in winter and this may rise to over 1000 if the weather is hard.

Phil Davey, Site Manager of the Lindisfarne NNR said “Appropriate management of farmland is critical to the wellbeing of goose species and with the co-operation of local farmers this scheme will benefit the rare light-bellied brent goose”

Andy Richardson of McCreath Simpson Prentice (MSP) said “We are quite delighted to be able to support Natural England with the supply of barley screenings. The screenings will allow the geese to graze without damaging valuable agricultural crops nearby. We wish the farmers at Beal farm and Goswick farm; and Natural England every success in this project”.

Beal Farm and Goswick Farm, through Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship scheme, are managing the fields adjacent to the NNR specifically for this species and have agreed a sponsorship deal for a minimum of six years with MSP, who are providing up to six tonnes of untreated seed screenings per year.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR

1. 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.

2. Natural England took over responsibility for the delivery of Environmental Stewardship from the Rural Development Service on 1 October 2006.

3. Environmental Stewardship was launched on 3 March 2005. It is composed of three tiers:

• Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), a whole farm scheme which aims to encourage farmers and land managers across England to deliver simple but effective environmental management ;
• Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS), which is open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically;
• Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), which, when combined with ELS or OELS options, aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority areas.

4. Environmental Stewardship builds on the very best practice already evident in British Farming. In particular, it takes forward Defra’s two flagship agri-environment schemes, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Countryside Stewardship. The primary objectives of the new scheme 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.

5. For interviews, photographs or further information please contact either Jim Milner on 0191 229 5465 or Bob Cuss on 0191 229 3356.

Issued by Natural England North East