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S Clarke (Farms) Ltd Eco Centre Home Farm Screveton Whole Farm Conservation Plan Aim: To meet the ‘Wildlife and Landscape’ requirements of Section 6 of the LEAF Marque standard 2008, by raising awareness of key wildlife habitats, other environmental and archaeological features and best farming practice. 3 May 2017 Prepared by: Lesley Sharpe Telephone: 07707 220121 E-Mail: [email protected] Contents 1 Farm Details ......................................................................... 3 1.1 Landscape ...........................................................................3 1.2 Designations.........................................................................3 2 Objectives ............................................................................ 4 3 Action Plan ........................................................................... 5 4 Key Wildlife Habitats ........................................................... 6 4.1 Hedgerows ...........................................................................6 4.2 Ditches ..................................................................................7 4.3 Trees.......................................................................................7 4.4 Field Margins ........................................................................8 4.5 Conservation Headlands / Habitat Provision ................8 4.6 Arable / Uncropped Land ................................................9 4.7 Farm Roads / Tracks ...........................................................9 4.8 Grassland..............................................................................9 4.9 Ponds.................................................................................. 10 4.10 Woodland ......................................................................... 10 4.11 Orchards ............................................................................ 11 5 Key Species ....................................................................... 12 5.1 Key Species 1 .................................................................... 12 5.2 Key species 2 .................................................................... 13 5.3 Key species 3 .................................................................... 14 5.4 Key species 4 .................................................................... 14 6 Archaeological / Historic Features ................................... 15 7 Access ................................................................................ 16 8 Further Help ....................................................................... 16 Appendices ............................................................................... 16 1 Farm Details Home Farm covers 274 ha with land in three nearby blocks at Car Colston, Hawkesworth and Syerston in Nottinghamshire. Home Farm is a mainly arable farm growing winter wheat and rape alongside a flock of sheep and small herd of pigs. Additionally the farm hosts an Eco-centre with horticulture and learning opportunities. The farm falls within the Trent catchment and is in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone. The farm is in the Entry Level and Higher Level Schemes. 1.1 Landscape Home Farm is in the Trent and Belvoir Vale ‘Joint Character Area’ (JCA). The farm has a rolling landform with clay loam soils. The farm is close to 3 villages and has public footpaths crossing and adjacent to it. It also lies next to the A46. There are a number of small areas of woodland in prominent positions across the farm that adds landscape value being visible from the roads and footpaths. Small grass fields next to Screverton village and in particular a once parkland field also increase the landscape value of the holding. 1.2 Designations The farm contains one Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and lies adjacent to one more. The SINC site within the holding Stoneydale plantation is a mature deciduous woodland forming a valuable wildlife habitat. SINC is a local designation for sites of importance for wildlife. 582737417 3 2 Objectives The objective of this Whole Farm Conservation Plan is to clearly define the policy and plan for the conservation and management of wildlife habitats and biodiversity, and archaeological or historical sites, on Home farm. This includes all the key environmental features as listed in the guidance notes of 8.1 of the LEAF Marque Global Standard. The plan aims to enhance the farm to encourage greater biodiversity and is linked to any Biodiversity Action Plans (BAP’s) that exist in the local area or country. You must ensure that decisions made in relation to direct production practices such as agronomic, crop protection and animal husbandry take account of this Whole Farm Conservation Plan (WFCP) and its objects to protect and enhance the wildlife and landscape on your Farm. Farming and Environment are inseparably linked. The Whole Farm Conservation Plan sits alongside, and forms part of, the farm’s Farm Environmental Policy and Farm Environmental Plan (CFP* 1.6, 1.7 and 1.8). You must ensure that the Whole Farm Conservation Plan is an integral part of your farming system, and that decisions made in relation to agronomic practices take account of the objectives in the Whole Farm Conservation Plan to protect and enhance the wildlife and landscape on the farm (CFP 8.3). NB *CFP = Critical Failure Point throughout this document; R = Recommended. Associated paragraph numbers refer to the LEAF Marque Global Standard, Version 9.0 582737417 4 3 Action Plan Summary of the agreed actions and proposed timings to be updated annually refer to CFP 8.2, 8.21, 8.22. The associated map will correspond with the five year action plan and show where work will be / has been carried out. The plan (and audit) should ideally be completed or reviewed by a specialist advisor and must be regularly reviewed (at least every five years by the specialist advisor). The plan will be updated annually by the farmer and always have a five year work programme. Please see the LEAF Marque resource page for more information. http://www.leafuk.org/resources/000/673/252/Whole_Farm_Conservation_Act ion_Plan_2012.pdf Please see Appendix for Action Plan. 582737417 5 4 Key Wildlife Habitats General requirements and recommendations. It is recommended that 5% of the farm should be available for wildlife habitat. This can include hedges, ditches and woodland, as well as uncropped margins and Environmental Stewardship options such as wild bird seed mixture and nectar flower mixture (R 8.23). LEAF Marque requires you to include in your Whole Farm Conservation Plan all land that you hold on a tenancy or by any other formal agreement for a period longer than three years. Where you hold land on agreements lasting less than three years, you should check whether the landlord is a member of LEAF Marque or LEAF, and whether they have carried out a LEAF audit. This is so that you will be aware of any conservation management the landlord has put in place and can integrate it into your management of his land. If the landlord is not a LEAF member, you must carry out an environmental impact assessment (EIA) on the rented land (or any other land you may rent in future). As part of this process you must ask to see any relevant documentation your landlord may hold, e.g. conservation plans or audits, Environmental Stewardship maps etc. In the absence of any such documentation, you should keep copies of your initial correspondence requesting it and the landlord’s response (CFP 8.4). If you rent land out yourself, you should encourage your tenants to adopt integrated farming principles by becoming LEAF members and becoming LEAF Marque certified. If you hold the LEAF Marque certificate for your tenants’ land, the tenants cannot sell their produce as LEAF Marque unless they are approved separately (R 8.5). It is recommended that farm staff is actively involved in the planning of habitat creation environmental improvement. Ensure that staff has access to all relevant conservation plans and maps (R 8.21). Similarly, you are encouraged to involve farm staff and local interest groups in the monitoring of key indicator species and the effects of your adoption of Integrated farm Management (IFM) on the farm (R 8.22). 4.1 Hedgerows LEAF Marque Global Standard. You must not remove or destroy hedges (or any other type of traditional field boundary) on the farm; nor must you remove woodlands or other high carbon stock land (CFP 8.7). Hedges must not be trimmed during the observed nesting period. Trimming or management can only be carried out more often than every two or three years where this can be justified, e.g. for road safety reasons. Hedge and boundary management in general must be in accordance with this WFCP (CFP 8.8). 582737417 6 There is an extensive network of very well managed hedgerows on the farm. Much work has been done to the hedgerows over recent years including entering some into a coppicing cycle, laying some and gapping up others. They now form continuous corridors for wildlife. The hedgerows are mainly hawthorn with hedgerow trees, however a number of the hedgerows are along parish boundaries and these are of mixed species including field maple, blackthorn, hawthorn and hazel. They are managed under the Entry Level Scheme and cut every other year. 4.2 Ditches LEAF Marque Global Standard. Ditch maintenance (cutting and clearing of ditch side vegetation, re-profiling) should be restricted to one side of individual ditches in any one year. Maintenance must not be carried out during the bird nesting season. Where more frequent management is required, for reasons of unimpeded drainage, this should be justified (CFP 8.9). Note the need to manage ditch and watercourse edges in order to protect them from pollution, runoff or erosion resulting from overgrazing or inappropriate livestock access (CFP 5.1). Livestock must be managed in an appropriate way in order to protect wildlife and water quality (CFP 5.6). The ditches on the farm are agriculture ditches and managed under ELS as per the LEAF Marque standards above. 4.3 Trees LEAF Marque Global Standard. Where required, you must obtain an appropriate felling licence before felling trees on the farm. Wherever possible, trees should be retained in order to maintain landscape character. Where older trees exist, consider new planting of trees as future replacements (CFP 8.10). Retain all hedgerow, boundary and infield trees unless they are a potential hazard (CFP 8.11). Don’t deep cultivate under infield tree canopies, and ensure there is a two metre margin against woodland edge or boundary trees (CFP 8.12). 582737417 7 There are few in field trees in the arable fields on the farm but they are managed under ELS and not cultivated under the canopy. Mature parkland trees survive in what was once part of a registered park and garden and are managed under HLS. The hedgerow trees occur on a number of boundaries and are protected by field margins. 4.4 Field Margins LEAF Marque Global Standard. All fields over 2ha in size should have an uncultivated, uncropped margin at least two metres wide against all permanent field boundary features (hedges, ditches, woodland). This margin should be measured from the centre of the hedge, the edge of woodland, or the edge of the water in a ditch. NB This is slightly different from cross compliance (CFP 8.13). These two metre margin strips should receive no fertilisers, no pesticides (except spot treatment for noxious weeds), and should be cut in late summer, preferably removing the cuttings. Where possible, grazing every two or three years is also approved management (CFP 8.14). If margins are seeded, rather than allowed to regenerate naturally, native species should be used as far as possible, and (again, as far as possible) seed should be of local provenance (CFP 8.16). You must make every effort to ensure that margins are not driven on or used for turning. Contamination of hedge bottoms, watercourses and the two metre margins must be avoided (CFP 8.17). In addition to the cross compliance buffer zones, two, four and six metre margins have been added to all field boundaries. These margins are well established and managed under ELS. In addition to their wildlife benefit they act as buffers against all the watercourses on the farm. 4.5 Conservation Headlands / Habitat Provision LEAF Marque Global Standard. It is recommended that measures be adopted to provide nesting, summer food and winter food habitats for farmland birds, or habitat for other native fauna as appropriate – e.g. low input or unharvested cereal headlands, nectar flower mixtures, cultivated, uncropped margins, etc. (R 8.24). Unharvested fertiliser free conservation headlands were introduced on the farm under HLS. A 6 metre headland runs alongside a strip of wild bird seed mix and a strip of pollen and nectar thus providing a diversity of habitat between the crop and hedgerow. 582737417 8 4.6 Arable / Uncropped Land LEAF Marque Global Standard. Depending on soil type and the crop rotation, it may be possible to leave some land uncropped (e.g. as overwintered stubble) or grow spring-sown crops for the benefit of wildlife (R 8.19). Avoid nesting birds when carrying out field operations. Mark nests in the field as appropriate. Spray rather than cultivate setaside or fallowed fields, avoid cutting headlands in perennial crops (e.g. orchards) until after the nesting season (CFP 8.20). Eight hectares of over-wintered stubble are left each year, primarily to provide winter food for birds. Managed under ELS/HLS the stubble is not sprayed allowing weeds to grow and provide additional seed. 4.7 Farm Roads / Tracks LEAF Marque Global Standard. There are no specific LEAF requirements relating to the management of farm roads and tracks. (Note: green tracks are allowed initially as part of the farm’s 2m margins - see CFP 8.13, section 4.5 above, but note CFP 8.17). A well maintained farm track runs through the farm to provide good access and minimise trafficking across fields to gain access to further fields 4.8 Grassland LEAF Marque Global Standard. Permanent grassland may require an environmental impact assessment to be undertaken if it is planned to plough it (CFP 8.6). Avoid nesting birds when carrying out field operations. Mark nests in the field as appropriate. Use wildlife-friendly cutting techniques when cutting hay or silage, e.g. cutting from the centre outwards (CFP 5.2 and 8.20). Note the need to manage pond and watercourse edges in order to protect them from pollution, runoff or erosion from overgrazing or inappropriate livestock access (CFP 5.1). Livestock must be managed in an appropriate way in order to protect wildlife and water quality (CFP 5.6). The grassland forms an increasingly important part in the farming and environmental management of Home Farm as the livestock enterprises increase. There are small old pasture fields with ridge and furrow, a parkland parcel and recently created parcels of arable reversion. All have been linked up to provide a corridor of sensitively managed grassland across the main holding at Screveton. The grassland is grazed with rare breed sheep. 582737417 9 4.9 Ponds LEAF Marque Global Standard. There are no specific LEAF requirements relating to ponds, but note the need to manage pond edges in order to protect them from pollution, runoff or erosion from overgrazing or inappropriate livestock access. (CFP 5.1). Livestock must be managed in an appropriate way in order to protect wildlife and water quality. (CFP 5.6). There are a number of ponds on the holding which have historically been protected with buffers such that they have developed good marginal vegetation. The ponds support good numbers of dragonflies. 4.10 Woodland LEAF Marque Global Standard. Where required, you must obtain an appropriate felling licence before felling trees on the farm (CFP 8.10). Ensure there is a two metre margin against woodland edge trees (CFP 8.12). Livestock must be managed in an appropriate way in order to protect wildlife and water quality (CFP 5.6). A woodland management plan was commissioned for the four parcels of woodland on the farm. The objectives of the management are to: Enhance the semi-natural character of the woods: decrease extent of non native or invasive tree species Target management for biodiversity, mainly through diversification of age structure, stand types, balanced with non-intervention areas Increase density and diversity of shrub component through selective thinning of canopy Free areas of natural regeneration by opening up canopy to allow light to reach ground Maintain and enhance both standing and fallen deadwood habitat Extend woodland through planting on adjacent farmland to enhance opportunities for wildlife Much of this work has now been carried out and on going work will continue to primarily keep the canopy open. 582737417 10 4.11 Orchards LEAF Marque Global Standard. Avoid cutting headlands in orchards until after the nesting season (CFP 8.20). Livestock must be managed in an appropriate way in order to protect wildlife and water quality (CFP 5.6). An orchard management plan was commissioned to enhance an existing area of orchard and create a new area of orchard nearby. All of the work to the existing orchard has now been carried out. Additionally a further area of orchard was created with 70 fruit trees of apples, pears, plums and damsons. Old varieties were used and have established very well. They are now undergoing a cycle of pruning . 582737417 11 5 Key Species It is recommended that measures be adopted to provide nesting, summer food and winter food habitats for farmland birds, or habitat for other native fauna as appropriate – e.g. low input or unharvested cereal headlands, nectar flower mixtures, cultivated, uncropped margins, etc. (R 8.24). Several once common birds of farmland have declined nationally in the last 20 years. They include the grey partridge, skylark, linnet, tree sparrow and lapwing. A bird survey was carried out across Home Farm in May 2009 and many bird species were recorded including the following key species 5.1 Key Species 1 Lapwing Habitat: All types of farmland, but prefers mixed farming systems and extensively managed wet grasslands. Prefers ‘wide and open landscapes’ during breeding season to avoid predators Food: A surface feeding bird that benefits from a mosaic of spring-sown crops, setaside, grazed pastures and marshes that will provide a year round source of invertebrates. Chicks are often taken considerable distances to wet grassland, which provides a particularly rich source of earthworms, leatherjackets, beetle larvae, etc. Nesting: Breeds from March to July on spring sown crops and short grasslands. Nests (simple scrapes in the ground) are very vulnerable to spring cultivations, grass harrowing and high stocking rates. Importance: RSPB ‘red list’ species. Local BAP species. Beneficial management: Spring cropping and the maintenance of a short sward on wet or rushy pastures will provide ideal nesting conditions. Aim to ensure field operations and stocking rates do not destroy nests. Pastures that stay wet into early summer are particularly valuable feeding areas. Consider options such as raising water levels or excavating shallow scrapes. Set-aside can provide nesting opportunities if the green cover is comparatively sparse and open. Consider newly available options within agri-environment schemes such as spring cropping and summer fallows. 582737417 12 5.2 Key species 2 Skylark Habitat: The Skylark is the definitive bird of open farmland, preferring larger arable and grassland fields. The openness and short vegetation allows sighting of potential predators. Food: Adults feed on a range of seeds and plant shoots including knotgrass, groundsel, fat hen and grasses. Chicks are entirely dependent on insects until fledging, favouring sawfly larvae, beetles, ants, spiders and grasshoppers. Nesting: Breeding takes place between April and August. Skylark nest on the ground in short grass or crops, avoiding vegetation over 60cm high. Due to high predation rates Skylark need to produce up to three broods a season. Winter sown crops and silage fields are only suitable for a single brood, making set-aside and spring crops essential to maintain adult populations Importance: 75% decline since 1970. National BAP species. RSPB 'Red List' species. Beneficial management: Include a spring cereal as part of the arable rotation. This provides ideal and much needed late season nesting habitat. Consider newly available options under agrienvironment schemes. Manage set-aside sympathetically to provide a source of winter food and a nesting habitat in spring/summer. Non-rotational set-aside will provide similar conditions and can attract very high breeding densities. Use the management allowances to create a range of grass heights and structures. Sympathetically manage grasslands or moorland as both feeding and nesting habitat. Be mindful of nesting birds and fledglings when cutting silage or set-aside land. 582737417 13 5.3 Key species 3 Yellowhammer Habitat: Mixed farmland with well managed hedgerows and scrub. In winter favours winter stubbles, natural regenerated set-aside, game cover, farmyards with livestock and feeding stations where grain cleanings have been put out for finches, sparrows and buntings. Food: Adults feed on a wide range of plant seeds, including dead nettles, groundsel, sorrel and cereal grains. Chicks dependent on insects for first week of live. Adults will also take insects in the breeding season. Nesting: Nests on or close to the ground in short (less than 2 metres), dense hedgerows, field margins with long grass, scrub and the edges of woodland. Particularly favours dense hedges next to ditches. Birds will often continue breeding into August, so making them particularly vulnerable to early hedge trimming immediately after harvest. Importance: 54% decline since 1970. Local BAP Species. Beneficial management: Ensure a year round source of food. Field margins, winter stubbles and wild bird seed crops provide winter seeds for adults. Field margins, set-aside land and unimproved grasslands provide rich insect foraging areas for chicks. Adopt a range of trimming styles and hedge types around the farm. Maintain some as short, dense features and allow others to develop into taller, untrimmed features. Establish extended field margins around arable fields. Not only will these provide additional habitat, but allow more sympathetic timing of hedge cutting. 5.4 Key species 4 Linnet Habitat: A wide range of habitats is used including areas of scrub, wasteland, heath and urban areas. On farmland, Linnets can be found wherever there is a plentiful supply of seeds. Food: Linnets and their chicks rely entirely on seeds throughout the year. Adults will favour stubbles and set-aside land through the winter where weed seed and split grains are abundant. Dandelion seeds in pasture are particularly important. Chicks feed on weed seeds and unripe oilseed rape grains. 582737417 14 Nesting: 0-2m up in thick, well maintained thorn hedges, bramble patches and areas of scrub. Importance: 54% decline since 1970. UK BAP species. Beneficial management: As Linnets are particularly reliant on seeds, wild bird seed crops are extremely beneficial. These can be grown on set-aside and now through the Countryside Stewardship scheme. Tolerate a few ‘weeds’ such as Dandelion in improved pastures and aim to maintain all areas of unimproved grassland. Allow a naturally regenerated green cover to develop on set-aside land. Leave destruction of the green cover as late as possible in the summer. Retain areas of rough grass and bramble around the farm. Avoid being ‘over tidy’ as this will reduce feeding and nesting opportunities. Establish extended field margins in arable and grassland fields and manage these with a rotational cut so as to allow grasses and broadleaves to set seed and carry them through the winter. LEAF Marque Global Standard. Your Whole Farm Conservation Plan must list key species present on the farm and, identify 4 specific species (or collection of species) as a focus of your Whole Farm Conservation Plan. The action plan and map will help to inform all staff of the features and management that is or will be carried out as well as your targeted key species (CFP 8.2, 8.21 and 8.22). 6 Archaeological / Historic Features LEAF Marque Global Standard. Do not damage or destroy nationally or locally important historic features (monuments, earthworks, sites of archaeological and historical interest) by farming activities, including subsoiling, unauthorised excavation, land reclamation, levelling, tipping, infilling, woodland clearance, tree-planting, damage by livestock (CFP 8.18). A Historic Consultation with Notts County Council was carried out under HLS and the features it identified are now being managed under that scheme: A crop mark complex on the holding that it would want to see taken out of cultivation. This was achieved through arable reversion. The grass is now managed as pasture to protect these important archaeological sites. The Fosse Way which runs parallel to the holding is an important roman road and so 6m margins have been introduced along the field boundaries that abut it. Ridge and furrow in the grass fields at Screveton has been protected by retaining the fields as pasture. One land parcel is part of a registered park and garden giving it landscape and historic importance. It is now managed as parkland under HLS. 582737417 15 7 Access LEAF Marque Global Standard. All public and traditional paths must be clear of obstructions and all infrastructures (gates, stiles etc) kept in good condition (CFP 9.2). All public rights of way should be clearly marked (R 9.3). In addition to maintaining the public rights of way on the farm permissive access has been created to link up the public rights of way and to permissive access on adjacent farms. The resultant network of footpaths is providing much used access for local villagers. . 8 Further Help Subject Contact Website Waste, Pollution, Water Management Environment Agency 08708 506506 www.environmentagency.gov.uk Cross Compliance Advise Service 0845 3451302 www.defra.gov.uk/farmingadvice Rural Payments Agency 0845 6018045 www.rpa.gov.uk Farm Single Payment Scheme Appendices Habitat map Bird Survey Action Plan 582737417 16