teesvalleybiodiversity.org.uk : Ten ways to help biodiversity on the farm

Ten ways to help biodiversity on the farm

Consider producing a whole farm management plan that identifies habitats and wildlife and how best to conserve them – ask FWAG for advice. LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) can provide a self-assessment farm audit to help improve environmental performance and to give advice on integrated farm management.
On mixed farms, manage the whole farm to integrate pasture and arable land use into a sustainable system that maintains a varied landscape.
Retain and link areas for wildlife such as field margins, meadows, ponds, scrub, trees and hedges.
Create a rough grass margin around fields to provide cover for small mammals and rough grass strips alongside streams and rivers to buffer them from spray drift.
Retain winter stubbles and consider planting wild bird cover crops under set-aside or agri-environment schemes.
Carry out grassland management (rolling, harrowing, swaling) before mid-March to avoid ground-nesting birds, insects and reptiles.
Leave odd corners and strips of rough grass uncut over the winter to provide cover for hibernating insects and other wildlife.
Avoid annual cutting of hedges or scrub and manage on a 2 or 3 year rotation, cutting in spring to leave berries for small mammals and birds in winter.
Sow a pollen and nectar mix into grass to encourage butterflies, bumblebees, insects and birds.
Minimise inputs of fertilisers and pesticides and keep then away from hedges, woodlands, field margins, ditches and watercourses.