Environmental

Alongside our arable and livestock farming commitments we are continually looking at ways to protect and enhance the many different wildlife habitats across the farm estate. This involves taking a pro-active approach to habitat management and conservation across all aspects of the estate. Some examples of our recent work include;

Ponds

Over the past few years, we have fully restored 7 ponds and created one totally new pond. Over time many of these ponds had become overgrown with trees and thorns which limits the sunlight and reduces both water levels and water quality.  Although its’ early in their restorative journey we have witnessed the huge difference in water quality, water levels, numbers of dragonflies and farmland birds feeding from insects! 

Hedgerows

We have over 92,000 meters of hedgerows across the estate, that equates to a staggering 57miles. We are certainly not resting on our laurels and have an active plan to keep planting more hedges as they are such an important habitat. Our hedgerows bustle with life and it’s a fact that 130 of the wildlife species listed as priorities under the government’s Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) live and thrive in hedgerows including:

the harvest mouse

foraging bats

roosting birds

Wildlife surveys

Across the estate we regularly survey the wildlife that we see, this gives us clear indications to whether the conservation work we are doing is working.

In our most recent bird species survey, we were thrilled to record 8 species that are Red listed and 13 species that are Amber listed on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern list.  The Red List is a list of birds in the UK, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man in most urgent need of our help, so it is encouraging that these species have found a home on the estate.

Woodland

Across the estate is 84 hectares of woodland which equates to 34 football pitches. With a mix of ancient woodland and newly created woodland these sizeable habitats are the perfect place for many species to reside.