One of the first (and relatively few) pleasant summer evenings of the year saw us at Woodhouse Farm where Robin provided refreshments before we visited various areas of the farm. Robin had recently submitted a Higher Tier Stewardship application which includes exciting plans for the creation of some species-rich grassland and enhancements for the Corn Bunting. Our first stop was to discuss the location of an unharvested cereal margin to provide nesting habitat and winter food for the bird, and right on cue a male Corn Bunting delivered its rattling song. We also stopped to look at where a biobed and rainwater harvesting capital works are planned to go. 

Surveys 

We have some budget allocated for survey work over the three years and this summer some members were able to have Corn Bunting Surveys. The results are still being analysed but I have plotted records here. Each pinpoint is a record of a singing bird and the different colours denote different visit dates. Please remember that birds move about ( a lot obviously!) and though surveyors try not to record the same bird twice on the same visit , there is inevitably double recording. You need to do a minimum of three visits before you can really start to determine the number of territory holding males. What the map does show is that there was a lot of activity on the first visits and far less on the second. On one farm, there was no recorded activity on the second visit and this was most likely because the area had been harvested. Corn Buntings nest on the ground in cereals, preferring barley. It is a late nester, nesting well into August and the loss of habitat at this time can be catastrophic both to nests and chicks. Leaving unharvested areas can be a game changer and can be done through Countryside Stewardship. Once you add on the species supplement which is available if you are in a target area, then the figures really start to add up: 

AB10 - £822/ha with SP9 supplement at a further £171/ha. 

I also arranged for some to have butterfly surveys. The weather and the surveyor’s availability (Mike does this in his spare time) rather hampered things, but Mike plans to start in May next year. Those of you who were promised surveys this year but didn’t get them will be prioritised. One exciting find was Striped Lychnis caterpillars on Dark Mullein at Hernes. Was this the result of the Dark Mullein seed that Stephen Doble sowed for Gillian and Dick Ovey a few years back? 

Can You Help?

Would you or anyone you know like to be involved in an exciting habitat creation project? I am looking for quotes to mow and transport a cut of green hay from Greenfield Farm to Woodhouse Farm where it will be spread onto an area of arable reversion to grassland. Work will take place next summer but quotes are required now.. Please contact me for the full specifications. Work will be carried out through a Higher Tier Stewardship grant. 

New Events 

Arrival of autumn always heralds a rush of events and this year is no exception. We have our own workshops and there are a number of other opportunities for you that are highlighted below. I will forward details as I receive them and all will be listed on our website. 

Cluster Events 

7th September Dung Beetles and Earthworms with Sally-Ann Spence - see separate invitation. 

19th October - Creating Water Resilience - a workshop with ADAS and CSF to look at on farm water management. Time (afternoon session) and venue TBC. 

21st November - Kicking the N habit - a workshop with Neils Corfield to look at ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving Clean Air Farming. Time (morning session) and venueTBC. 

Other Nearby Events 

Firstly I would like to draw your attention to a FiPL funded Training and Events programme being run by Pasture for Life. PFLA is looking to support farmers within the Chilterns who may be considering introducing animals into their system or changing how they manage their ruminant animal enterprises, from increasing grass productivity to dealing with rising input costs, with a focus on a greater reliance on natural processes. For full details please see the separate flyer. 

21st September - this year Farm Carbon Toolkit are holding their annual field day in Oxfordshire. Details here 

11th October- Christmas Common Farmers are invited to join with other local clusters in a Sustainable Soils event to be held at Waddesdon. Details to be provided. 

12th October - Alternative Landuses - Biodiversity. A Farmers Weekly event being held in Chipping Norton. Apply to attend here 

Grant Opportunity Update

Sustainable Farming Incentive 

The RPA has begun inviting farmers to register for the SFI. We are told it will open for applications on 18th September. There is a webinar on SFI and other grant schemes on 6th September. Book here 

Rural England Prosperity Fund 

For those in South Oxfordshire, there is an opportunity to submit an EOI for funding for farm diversification, rural net zero projects (like EV charging), nature-based solutions like Natural Flood Management , local food processing etc. More information here 

For those of you in Bucks, see here for details