Horticulture can support healthier populations of key farmland bird species, the Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) said today.

Research carried out by the Horticultural Development Company (HDC) has shown that horticultural cropping is likely to provide high quality habitats for a range of farmland bird species including grey partridge, jackdaw, lapwing, skylark, stock dove, tree sparrow, yellow wagtail and yellowhammer.

This has been associated with higher population densities and healthier population trends since 1994 for many species. However, over the past eighteen months, growers have been going that extra mile to support the CFE, by adopting key target options in ELS and campaign voluntary measures to deliver more for the environment including farmland birds.

CFE beacon farmer, Phillip Hubbert from Norfolk House Farm, Holbeach, said:
“Many horticultural crops have a more open structure than winter cereals therefore they can provide suitable nesting habitats for birds. But as growers we can enhance the benefits that our land delivers by putting in place options like wild bird seed mixtures which provide important food resources for farmland birds especially at this time of the year.”

The CFE has produced a tailored advice leaflet to help growers put in place management options that will support the campaign, while delivering for farmland birds. Leaflets can be requested from the Programme Office on 024 7685 8892 or downloaded from www.cfeonline.org.uk