Farm wildlife MONITORING & SURVEYING
Monitoring & surveying Farmland supports a wide diversity of wildlife, with several species specialising in open and cultivated habitats and many more in the margins and seminatural areas that remain within many farms. Wildlife has been declining in recent decades by almost every measure. Through a well-defined survey and monitoring plan, delivered from Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s farmland advisory service and volunteer network, you can better understand the fortunes of the wildlife on your farm and deliver for its needs.
SMALL TORTOISESHELL: STEVE AYLWARD, COMMON FROG: PHILIP PRECEY, NIGHTINGALE: STEPHAN JOHANSSON, FARMLAND POND: STEVE AYLWARD MAIN PIC: SARAH GROVES
SURVEYS
SURVEY
OUTCOMES
TIMING
COST
Farmland breeding birds
Survey of breeding farmland birds, focusing on yellowhammer, skylark and lapwing. Other priority records should be generated, including nightingale and turtle dove.
April-July
Free
Pollinating insects
Volunteer-led survey of pollinating insects, recording an abundance metric to measure success of habitat enhancements.
April-September
Free
Surveys of farmland ponds to inform restoration and management, including great crested newt records. Some botanical and invertebrate records may also be generated.
April-September
Free
Ponds Dormouse habitat
Survey of habitats for likely presence of hazel dormouse. Available in high priority areas, informing recommendation for full survey.
Year round
Free
Water vole
Survey of waterways for water vole signs, producing records and habitat management recommendations.
May-September
Free
Arable plants
Survey of rare arable plants, producing records and informing management actions.
May-September
At cost from £300
Flora
Surveys of flora where likely to produce useful records – as advised.
May-September
At cost*
Fungi
Survey of fruiting fungi species, producing records.
August-November
At cost*
Dragonflies
Survey of adult dragonflies, producing records.
June-September
At cost*
Bats
Survey of foraging bats, producing records and ecological notes for species using site.
May-September
At cost*
Breeding birds
Survey for all species of breeding birds, territory mapping and habitat management recommendations.
April-July
At cost from £900
Wintering birds
Survey of wintering birds, population estimates and habitat management advice.
September-March
At cost from £700
Dormouse presence
Informed by habitat assessment survey, in priority areas where likely presence advised.
April-October
At cost from £400 *Cost as advised
FARM WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER NETWORK Managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust Farmland Wildlife Adviser, the farm wildlife volunteer network provides trained volunteers to monitor wildlife on farms across the county. Our volunteers are enthusiastic and knowledgeable naturalists who give up their time to help us chart the changes in farmland bird and pollinator populations in Suffolk.
John Pawsey, Shimpling Park Farm
GET IN TOUCH HOVERFLIES: ALAMY
I have great data now for a more targeted future scheme
By hosting a volunteer surveyor, you will be making a valuable contribution to the understanding of wildlife on Suffolk’s farmland. You will receive records from their surveys to help you understand the fortunes of your farm’s wildlife and help to connect an enthusiastic local naturalist to the countryside.
Contact Sam to book your free visit
Registered charity no 262777
01473 890089 sam.hanks@suffolkwildlifetrust.org suffolkwildlifetrust.org/farmland-wildlife-advice SWTWildFarms