Farmland Wildlife Monitoring
By implementing changes in the farming system and embarking on a programme of habitat creation and management we aim to:
- increase species diversity and population size of selected key species on the farm;
- encourage wildlife from the nature reserve to spread onto the farmland;
- maintain beneficial ecological processes to reduce pest and weed problems.
Baseline data have been collected and monitoring schemes and surveys established for rare arable flowers, farmland birds, bumblebees and butterflies. Many of the species belonging to these groups have suffered significant declines as a result of agricultural intensification.
We are currently developing research projects to investigate:
- novel and practical techniques for enhancing biodiversity on farmland;
- methods for improving the sustainability of farming practices.
The Trust has collaborative research projects with a number of universities and other organisations. We welcome the opportunity to discuss the needs for research in the above areas and to further develop a working relationship with others.
Rare arable flowers
Agricultural intensification has led to the decline in abundance of many species of arable flower over the past fifty years. Two of the most important factors contributing to these losses have been the increase in use of herbicides and fertilisers. The Northmoor Trust has been involved in work on these rare and declining arable flowers since 1995.
Field surveys have revealed the presence of a number of uncommon rare arable flowers on our farm including mousetail (Myosurus minimus), corn buttercup (Ranunculus arvensis) and corn gromwell (Lithospermum arvensis). The latter two species are listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Particular care is taken to protect populations of these flowers from herbicide drift and conservation headlands implemented to encourage the establishment of these species have been partially successful with mousetail colonising the headlands in some years.
Farmland birds
Nationally many farmland birds are in decline with numbers of some species having fallen by more than 50% between 1970 and 1998. Habitat destruction, changes in cropping and an increase in use of pesticides have all been attributed to these observed declines.
Breeding bird territories are mapped on the farm using the Common Bird Census technique developed by the British Trust for Ornithology. Seventy-three species have been recorded of which forty-three actually breed on the farm. The number of breeding territories of many key species that have suffered significant declines have increased substantially on our farm. For example grey partridge, skylark, linnet, corn bunting. The overall increase in the number of many of these birds can probably be attributed to changes in habitat structure and crop rotation, which have increased the availability of food and nesting sites.
Bumblebees
Bumblebee numbers have fallen dramatically on farmland since the 1960s, with the loss of hay meadows, red clover leys and hedgebanks all attributing to these declines. Surveys on our farm have revealed the presence of eight species of true bumblebee and three species of cuckoo bumblebee namely, Bombus lapidarius, Bombus hortorum, Bombus terrestris, Bombus lucorum, Bombus pascuorum, Bombus pratorum, Bombus ruderarius, Bombus barbutellus, Bombus rupestris and Bombus vestalis. Bombus rupestris is a Nationally Notable species and is listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as a species of conservation concern.
We are currently investigating measures to increase bumblebee numbers on farmland.
Butterflies
Habitat destruction has been a major threat to many butterflies associated with farmland. Several species are threatened with extinction or are far less abundant than they were in the past. Improvement and poor management of ancient flower rich pastures and hay meadows, and the removal of hedgerows and field margins have all contributed to these declines. Furthermore, the increase in use of pesticides has affected butterflies both directly via the use of broad-spectrum insecticides and indirectly through the use of herbicides which destroy food plants. By creating suitable habitat and reducing inputs of pesticides we aim to encourage butterflies onto our land.
Twenty-three species of butterfly have been recorded on the farm between 1996 and 2000. Numbers of nomadic species such as brimstone and orange tip have remained relatively stable during this period whilst colonial species, for example meadow brown and marbled white, have increased dramatically. These increases can largely be attributed to the provision of suitable habitat for butterflies on the farm. Shady margins planted with trees have provided ideal habitat for speckled wood whilst the creation of a wildflower margin has benefited a wide variety of species such as marbled white, meadow brown, common blue and small copper.
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