News
Monday 12 November 2007
Bird figures rise as countryside scheme takes effect
The number and species of birds found at Nottingham Trent University’s Brackenhurst campus have both increased dramatically since the introduction of a national scheme aimed at actively conserving the countryside. In six years the maximum number of birds spotted in individual surveys rose from 69 to 356, while the number of species jumped from 28 to 57.
A study at Brackenhurst, home to the University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, has linked the rise to the introduction of the Government’s Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) in 2003. The grant scheme has enabled the University to implement a range of environmental improvements to the campus such as increased hedge planting and fencing, hedgerow restoration, pollarding of trees, and the introduction of field margins.
Birds spotted, which were absent from the previous survey, included the lesser whitethroat, little grebe and sedge warbler. There were also more farmland specialist species – those that breed or feed mainly or solely on farmland – such as skylarks and yellowhammers, which increased from five sightings to nine in the latest survey.
Jonathan Shaw, Minister of Landscape and Rural Affairs, at the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs said: "It's great to see that the environment-friendly steps taken by the University has paid dividends for wildlife in and around the campus. The Countryside Stewardship Scheme has been an important part of efforts to conserve the natural environment and to boost the numbers of farmland birds.
"Our new Environmental Stewardship scheme will build on success stories like Brackenhurst. More and more farmers are signing up to environment-friendly measures with more than 4.5 million hectares, that’s over half of all agricultural land in England, covered by Environmental Stewardship agreements."
The study was carried out by BSc Wildlife Conservation student Ruth Walker as part of her final year research dissertation looking specifically at the impact of the CSS on farmland birds.
As well as receiving the top dissertation mark in the University’s environment team, the study has also earned Ruth the annual Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society Trophy, which recognises excellent commitment and achievement. She will be presented with the prize during the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Science’s awards ceremony at the Brackenhurst campus next month.
Ruth said: "These results are really encouraging. Farmland birds suffered a 46% decline in numbers between the mid 1970s and 2002 and it is widely acknowledged that this drop was a result of large-scale changes in agricultural practice. Environmental schemes such as the CSS were developed in an attempt to reverse this general decline; changes in farming methods and landscape management here at Brackenhurst certainly seem to have had a very positive impact."
Dr Louise Gentle, Ruth’s tutor and Lecturer in Wildlife Conservation, said: "These findings highlight how something as simple as the introduction of field margins can have such a positive effect on biodiversity. We always try to encourage as diverse a range of wildlife on the Brackenhurst campus as possible."
There are now plans to implement skylark plots and wild birdseed mixtures to try to further increase the diversity of wildlife on the campus.
ENDS
Notes for editors: Environmental Stewardship was launched by the Government on 3 March 2005. The primary objectives of the new scheme are to:
- Conserve wildlife (biodiversity).
- Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character.
- Protect the historic environment and natural resources.
- Promote public access and understanding of the countryside.
- Natural resource protection.
Environmental Stewardship (ES) is one of the Schemes which operate under the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP). The scheme replaced the Countryside Stewardship, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Organic Farming Schemes, which are now closed to new applicants. Click here for more information.
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Or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on +44 (0)115 848 8774, or email therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk.
