Farmland bird populations have declined by almost half since 1970, due to a variety of factors, including changes in farming practices. The Farmand Bird Aid Network works with local communities and landowners to feed farmland birds, monitor their populations, and restore habitats, enabling farmland birds to thrive naturally. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Oxfordshire\u2019s Nature Recovery Network The overarching ambition of DEFRA\u2019s 25 Year Environment Plan is to \u2018leave our environment in a better state than we found it and to pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future\u2019. The plan highlights six key areas for action, one being to establish a Nature Recovery Network. This will protect and restore wildlife, as well as providing greater public enjoyment of the countryside; increased carbon capture; and improvements in water quality and flood management. <\/span><\/p>\n The first stage of the Nature Recovery Strategy has been completed with the creation of the network map. The map brings together existing and new information on the most important areas for wildlife in the county and identifies pathways within our landscapes where there is realistic potential to link existing natural assets. Building on Oxfordshire\u2019s established Conservation Target Areas, the network identifies new \u2018core\u2019 and \u2018recovery\u2019 zones. Farmland Bird Aid Network\u2019s sites are in the prime areas for nature recovery. The charity would like to work with more landowners in these key areas to connect wildlife corridors thus giving farmland birds a chance to thrive.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Intensive supplementary feeding can substantially improve poor performance of birdseed crop plots in supporting farmland birds throughout the winter, particularly during the late winter \u2018hungry gap\u2019 when seed availability on the birdseed plots is otherwise exhausted. For further reading click below to the pdf on the report on the intensive supplementary feeding and how its improves the performance of wild bird seed plots in provisioning farmland birds throughout the winter.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/farmlandbirdaidnetwork.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/supplementaryfeedingoffarmlandbirdsonWBSplots_submitted_preprint.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Intensive supplementary feeding report” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”Intensive supplementary feeding” _builder_version=”4.9.11″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text admin_label=”What has worked for Farmland Bird Aid” _builder_version=”4.9.11″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” header_3_text_align=”justify” header_3_font_size=”20px” header_3_line_height=”1.1em” header_4_text_align=”justify” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text 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admin_label=”Red List” _builder_version=”4.9.11″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_text_align=”justify” header_3_font_size=”20px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” min_height=”252px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/farmlandbirdaidnetwork.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Linnet-3.png” title_text=”Linnet (3)” _builder_version=”4.9.11″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”1073.6px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Red List” _builder_version=”4.9.11″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_text_align=”justify” header_3_font_size=”20px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” min_height=”286px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Red List” _builder_version=”4.9.11″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_text_align=”justify” header_3_font_size=”20px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” min_height=”272px” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Red List” _builder_version=”4.9.11″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_text_align=”justify” header_3_font_size=”20px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” min_height=”266px” custom_padding=”0px||88px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/farmlandbirdaidnetwork.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Yellowhammer2.png” title_text=”Yellowhammer2″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.9.11″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-66px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Red List” _builder_version=”4.9.11″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_text_align=”justify” header_3_font_size=”20px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text 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_builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.11″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.11″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”28px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.11″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”28px” custom_padding=”|0px||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Over 60 local volunteersVolunteers feed seed, scattered thinly on the ground, on a rota from October to May, to cover the hungry gap. New volunteers always welcome – to feed, do surveys, or help with logistics! Do come and join our friendly group of volunteers.Farmland birds are used as an indicator of the general quality […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":286,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\n Imagine thriving populations of farmland birds in our countryside, able to support themselves naturally<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Farmland Bird Aid Network works with local communities and landowners to feed farmland birds, monitor their populations, and restore habitats, enabling farmland birds to thrive naturally<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Louise Spicer, our founder and a keen naturalist, noticed the rapid decline in farmland birds so decided to act in 2003 by setting up Bird Aid. This West Oxfordshire-based charity has helped to feed our declining farmland birds during the \u2018hunger gap\u2019 from January to early May ever since. The charity joined forces with a number of landowners to develop new feeding sites with keen volunteers to create a remarkable conservation project. This is now a coordinated NGO\/citizen effort which is continuing to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With advice from the RSPB, Farmland Bird Aid Network (formerly Bird Aid) has expanded rapidly in the last few years by doubling the number of feeding sites from 11 to 22. The charity\u2019s success is thanks to a passionate and growing band of over 40 volunteers and supportive landowners and farmers. In 2019\/20 new feeding sites were created in Charlbury, Finstock, Hailey, Leafield, North Leigh, Stonesfield, Wilcote and Wootton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scattered wheat, millet and rape seed helps to ensure linnets, yellowhammers and reed buntings survive during winter and spring when there is no natural feeding left. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2019\/20 regular surveying suggests over 850 yellowhammers and chaffinches, almost 850 linnets and over 50 skylarks were fed over this last winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The charity is run by a team of four experienced volunteer trustees: Dr Alan Larkman, Louise Spicer, Mike Kettlewell, and three volunteer directors: Genny Early, Jane Ellis and Judy Anders who ensure the focus on supporting our vulnerable farmland birds in the most effective and inclusive way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Farmland Bird Aid Network is an incorporated charity registered with the Charity Commission registration number [INSERT NO]<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Louise Spicer, our founder and a keen naturalist, noticed the rapid decline in farmland birds so decided to act in 2003 by setting up Bird Aid. This West Oxfordshire-based charity has helped to feed our declining farmland birds during the \u2018hunger gap\u2019 from January to early May ever since. The charity joined forces with a number of landowners to develop new feeding sites with keen volunteers to create a remarkable conservation project. This is now a coordinated NGO\/citizen effort which is continuing to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With advice from the RSPB, Farmland Bird Aid Network (formerly Bird Aid) has expanded rapidly in the last few years by doubling the number of feeding sites from 11 to 22. The charity\u2019s success is thanks to a passionate and growing band of over 40 volunteers and supportive landowners and farmers. In 2019\/20 new feeding sites were created in Charlbury, Finstock, Hailey, Leafield, North Leigh, Stonesfield, Wilcote and Wootton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scattered wheat, millet and rape seed helps to ensure linnets, yellowhammers and reed buntings survive during winter and spring when there is no natural feeding left. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2019\/20 regular surveying suggests over 850 yellowhammers and chaffinches, almost 850 linnets and over 50 skylarks were fed over this last winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The charity is run by a team of four experienced volunteer trustees: Dr Alan Larkman, Louise Spicer, Mike Kettlewell, and three volunteer directors: Genny Early, Jane Ellis and Judy Anders who ensure the focus on supporting our vulnerable farmland birds in the most effective and inclusive way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Farmland Bird Aid Network is an incorporated charity registered with the Charity Commission registration number ??<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmlandbirdaidnetwork.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmlandbirdaidnetwork.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmlandbirdaidnetwork.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmlandbirdaidnetwork.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmlandbirdaidnetwork.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/farmlandbirdaidnetwork.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":458,"href":"https:\/\/farmlandbirdaidnetwork.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44\/revisions\/458"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmlandbirdaidnetwork.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/286"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmlandbirdaidnetwork.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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What has worked best at our Farmland Bird Aid Network sites.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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We have found the methods below have been the most effective at our feeding sites:<\/h3>\n
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Thick hedges with lots of scrub at the base for shelter and nesting. Also, a few tall treesfor perch points, as many farmland birds are shy and like to perch high.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Beside the hedge, keep the grass low or even bare soil so it\u2019s easy for the birds to see the food, flit down and feed.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Seed mix \u2013 best to feed crushed wheat\/barley grain, millet and rape seed daily from October\/November to May.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Pest-proof bin to store the seed mix near the feeding site.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Feed daily by hand \u2013 early morning if possible \u2013 we do a rota with someone feeding a day a week. We trialed some automatic feeders \u2013 sadly the seed was spread too thickly and in a small area so we learnt it\u2019s best to scatter by hand!<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Volunteers survey the site \u2013 we survey for farmland birds once per month from December to March.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Mesh cages can stop pheasants, pigeons, etc eating the seed. Yellow hammers will feed in the cages but linnets and skylarks would not enter them.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
We are always learning, please do share your advice with us. Thank you<\/h3>\n
Farmland Bird Aid Survey 2020 – 2021<\/h3>\n
Click image for more information\u00a0<\/h5>\n
Declining farmland birds<\/h1>\n
Farmland Bird Aid Network helps declining farmland birds – many are on the Red List The number of farmland birds in the UK has declined dramatically since the 1970s, falling on average by 48% across the country, while some species such as tree sparrows and corn buntings have been reduced by 80%.<\/h3>\n
The Red List. This is the highest conservation priority, with species needing urgent action. Red list criteria includes: A species is globally threatened. Historical population decline in UK during 1800\u20131995. Severe (at least 50%) decline in UK breeding population over last 25 years, or longer-term period (the entire period used for assessments since the first BoCC review, starting in 1969). Severe (at least 50%) contraction of UK breeding range over last 25 years, or the longer-term period.<\/h3>\n
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Linnets (Red List)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Linnets are found on farmland wherever there is a plentiful supply of seeds throughout the year. The UK population of linnets fell by 54 per cent between 1970 and 1998. This is largely the result of loss of seed sources on farmland. Key points Boost seed food by providing uncut areas, a wide mix of crops, stubbles or seed-rich wild bird cover crops. Create thick, thorny nesting cover in hedges or by retaining areas of scrub, gorse or bramble.<\/h3>\n
Read more on Linnets and how to help them here<\/strong> on the RSPB site.<\/a><\/h3>\n
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Skylarks (Red List) <\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The UK skylark population fell by 54 per cent between 1970 and 2001. This decline was largely caused by the move from spring to winter cereals, as well as by intensified grassland management. Key points Provide suitable nesting habitat on arable farms using spring cereals or skylark plots in winter cereals. Skylarks can nest successfully in late-cut hay meadows, or silage fields which are not cut before late May and subsequent cuts are at least seven weeks apart.<\/h3>\n
Read more on the Skylarks and how to help them here<\/strong>, on the <\/a>RSPB site.<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Tree sparrows (Red List) <\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The UK population of the tree sparrow declined by 95 per cent between 1970 and 1998*. This is probably because fewer seed and insect food sources are available to them on farmland. Tree sparrows nest in holes, traditionally in old trees, hedges or farm buildings. Protecting these nest sites is vital. *Data source: British Trust for Ornithology Key points Use low-input crop management, field margins or wetland features to create insect-rich habitats. Use over-wintered stubble or wild bird seed mixtures to provide seed food throughout the winter. Ensure there are nesting holes available in trees and farm buildings, or use nest boxes.<\/h3>\n
Read more on Tree Sparrows and how to help them here<\/strong>, on <\/a>the RSPB’s site.<\/h3>\n
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Yellowhammers (Red List) <\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The UK Yellowhammer population fell by 54 per cent between 1970 and 1998*. The main factor is low overwinter survival, probably because fewer seed food sources are available to them on farmland.<\/h3>\n
Read more on the Yellowhammers and how to help them here<\/a><\/strong>, <\/a>on the RSPB site.<\/h3>\n
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*Data source: British Trust for Ornithology Key points Maintain short, thick hedges and ditches with wide margins for nesting. Flower-rich margins are better for insects than grass margins. Do not trim hedgerows before September, as the late nests of yellowhammers are the most important for overall productivity. Ensure there is at least one good seed food source throughout the winter.<\/h3>\n
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Our Aims<\/h1>\n
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To work with volunteers and landowners to provide supplemental feeding through the hungry gap.<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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To expand the network of interconnected feeding sites.<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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To promote beneficial hedgerow and land management.<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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To facilitate participation in environmental schemes and other initiatives that result in reversing the decline of farmland birds.<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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To monitor bird populations to demonstrate the effectiveness of supplemental feeding and\/or habitat regeneration.<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAbout Us <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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