Bird plea to farmers (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Bird plea to farmers

7:59am Friday 20th May 2005 in Farm & country By The Westmorland Gazette

A NETWORK of mini-reserves on Lakeland hills could provide vital havens for declining bird species like yellowhammers, reed buntings and lapwings, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

The RSPB is running two courses for Cumbrian farmers near Shap next week to demonstrate bird-friendly land management techniques.

On display will be tricks used successfully on RSPB farmed reserves like enclosed grasslands, which have been employed to increase the numbers of farmland birds.

Advice on drawing down grant aid through the new Environmental Stewardship Scheme (ESS) will be available at the training sessions on May 23 and 24 at High Hullockhowe Farm, which is part of United Utilites' Haweswater Estate. On the course agenda is upland in-bye management for birds including arable in the uplands, wetland management, hedegrow and woodland establishment and management of low input grassland. Another course at RSPB's Geltsdale Reserve near Brampton on May 25 will look at breeding wading birds and the grants available for that.

Defra's Vocational Training Scheme is funding the courses so places are free and there is even a free lunch thrown in. To book a place, contact Martin Kerby on 0191-233-4309 or email martin.kerby@rspb.org.uk l COURSES for those keen to start keeping poultry are running at Grove Farm at Ayside. The Poultry Keeping Courses for Beginners launched by Ayside Poultry Arks have really taken off, led by Frank Addison, well known nationally as a poultry breeder, exhibitor and show judge. The next day is on Saturday, June 11. For details see www.aysidepoultryarks.co.uk or ring 015395-36318.