Biodiversity - Are We Kidding Ourselves? Responding to a Farmers Weekly Article (6/4/12)

Dear farmers weekly

Is the state of biodiversity so bad on our farms FW can’t even find an image of a native farmland bird to use in its article “Are We Kidding Ourselves on Biodiversity” (FW 6 April 2012) The image used looks very like the non-native Rock bunting…. !

There is no doubt that modern agriculture has contributed to the decline in our biodiversity, it has also given a growing population access to quality, affordable food. There should be no disputing these facts. Across Wiltshire as part of Natural England’s South West Farmland Bird Initiative (SWFBI), many farmers are managing 7% or more of their arable land as in-field options for the rarest farmland birds including corn bunting, turtle dove and grey partridge. They are seeing the fruits of their labours in increased wildlife on their farms including rare plants like corn marigold re-appearing and an increase in brown hares.

For every farmer pulling the stops out, there are many that are coasting along with ELS agreements featuring nothing more than the most popular easy choices of grass margins and hedgerow options. Unfortunately these have limited value and their popularity is probably the reason why the farmland bird index has not improved despite many years of stewardship schemes; it does not provide the insects and seed the birds desperately need. Grey partridge chicks need around 2000 insects a day to thrive; try finding that in your average cereal crop!

Some birds have increased which is great news but chaffinches, tits and robins have benefited from garden bird feeders not farmers, sorry Guy. The most specialised farmland birds, those dependant on arable land, are still declining nationally but early evidence through SWFBI shows that enough of the right options, in the right place, managed well by farmers, are working to increase bird numbers. Its vital that we celebrate this fantastic work and share that story with the public through farm walks and talks whilst continuing to help more farmers get maximum biodiversity gain on their farms. What we mustn’t do is waste time pointing the finger and playing the blame game. The health of the countryside depends on it.