Farm walk

Sunday 20th September 2020

Coates Manor farm is next door to the university so we still have access to it even during these Covid times. Its an arable farm owned by RAU. It was really interesting to learn about the government environmental stewardship schemes. The picture shows the field of Enhanced Wild Bird Seed mix which is part of the Entry Level scheme. Farmers get paid a flat rate of £30 per hectare per year for 5 years for any of the EL schemes.

This field will feed grey partridge, turtle dove, song thrush, tree sparrow, linnet, yellowhammer, reed bunting and corn bunting - all at risk species. But there is still a 3 week period about the end of March when birds will starve if they don’t get additional feed from the farmers.

Finished at lunchtime and got in the car to go back home. Good to get back and see Robin and Chris - and the cats!