The Decline of Farmland Birds
There has been much research showing a decline in farmland biodiversity. Farmland birds have been the focus of particular attention and species such as the tree sparrow, for example, have seen numbers decline by 95%. Other species such as grey partridge, corn buntings, lapwings and skylarks receive much publicity and now within Environmental Stewardship there is an opportunity to redress the balance.

Target Species
It is possible to target certain bird species and provide specific food and/or habitat for them. If you wish to know more there is a good source of information at www.rspb.org.uk/farming

Grassland is Important
Many ground nesting birds find grassland important because there is less disturbance due to reduced farming activity. Additionally, grassland provides a source of food. Insects, earthworms and grassland invertabrates such as leatherjackets are in great number during the summer and this provides food for chicks.

The best grass areas are those containing a diverse range of species. Leys used for forage production, especially ryegrass, tend to be too dense. For details of a suitable grass margin mixture our buffer Strips and Field Margin Section.

Crops for Seed Eating Birds
For many years farmers have provided suitable seed bearing and cover crops for game birds. The same principles apply for providing food and cover for non game birds. We list some mixtures on these pages which can be sown for one or two years. The use of annual species such as quinoa and millet provide a reliable source of seed from the end of the autumn into the winter. A two year crop should provide seed into the spring of the following year. This is very important for successful breeding as birds often go short of food in the early spring.

Establishment and Management
In common with other crops these need management if they are to deliver results. As most sowings are comprised of more than one crop species, it is unlikely that chemical weed control will be possible or allowed without authorisation. Therefore seedbeds should be planned well in advance to give a clean, weed free start. Any weeds in the crop, provided they are not dominant, can become a further food source for birds once they set seed.

It is possible under some agri-environmental agreements to use a limited amount of seedbed fertiliser. This is often necessary as many of the sown species will require a source of fertility, particularly nitrogen, to get established.
The seeds can be broadcast but these mixtures are better shallow drilled. Warm soils are essential for satisfactory establishment and for this reason we do not recommend any sowings before April.