3 minute read
Transforming landscapes with farmer clusters in North Wiltshire
By Jonny Cooper, WSBRC Project Officer
Farmer clusters and farmer groups provide a local focus on achieving conservation and environmental benefits and allow farmers themselves to determine the priorities. This coordinated approach results in something that is greater than the sum of its parts, with clusters being able to achieve landscape-scale change.
Braydon Forest Farmers
A former royal hunting forest, the historic landscape of the Braydon Forest is defined by areas of pasture and meadows, interspersed with woodland, hedgerows and in-field trees. The farmer cluster was born out of a desire to protect the few remaining breeding curlew in the area, after it was discovered that curlew numbers had suffered a catastrophic decline of up to 80% over 25 years.
This year, the Waderscapes Project was established and the work of the farmer cluster has grown to have a much wider remit. Our work within the Braydon Forest area now involves supporting local landowners to protect the remaining breeding waders, such as lapwing and curlew.
We aim to locate and monitor breeding pairs and, where possible, protect their nests. In the longer term, the cluster is working to try to create a landscape that is more wader friendly.
We are also working together to connect areas of woodland and improve hedgerows. Much of this work is now centred around Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s new nature reserve, Great Wood, which the Trust was able to purchase early this year thanks to a substantial grant from Biffa Award through the Landfill Communities Fund and other generous donors. Great Wood is one of the few remaining large ancient woodlands in Wiltshire, covering 175 acres near Lyneham in North Wiltshire. Alongside habitat improvement within the woodland, we are working to improve connectivity between Great Wood and other areas of habitat for species such as the brown hairstreak butterfly and woodcock.
All of this work to connect habitats and improve the landscape for the species that call it home is only made possible due to the collective work of the farmer cluster.
Bremhill Vale Farmer Cluster
The Bremhill Vale is a diverse landscape, including areas of pasture as well as arable farms. Our work with this cluster is only just getting started; there are lots of opportunities to improve the landscape for wildlife on the horizon.
The current focus of this work is to improve habitats for farmland birds such as corn bunting, yellowhammer and linnet. Many of these birds have declined markedly, but within Wiltshire we still have good populations of them. The cluster is working with its members to help these birds, such as planting seed mixes to provide winter food.
One species of particular interest is the tree sparrow; in recent decades this species has declined by around 90% nationally. There is still a population near to the cluster on the Marlborough Downs. We are working to expand the range of the tree sparrow by providing suitable sites for them to spread and form new breeding colonies. This involves providing nest boxes and supplementary bird feed. In order for this to be successful, a well-connected network of habitats is vital; something that once again can only be provided by a farmer cluster.
If you are a landholder or farmer, contact Chelsie Fuge in our Nature Recovery Team to find out how we can help you deliver nature-based projects on your land: chelsief@wiltshirewildlife.org
