Surveys

Bird Surveys

With thanks to Keith Betton (Chair of Hampshire Ornothological Survey) and his volunteers a major bird survey has been set up this year to record bird species on no less than 19 member farms. Each farm, visited 4/5 times, has been surveyed to record species and numbers observed along a defined route. This project is a milestone in working with volunteers, in setting a biodiversity baseline for our group, and in building understanding by farmers about how birds colonise on-farm habitats. We hope that this new partnership will be the start of many and look forward to sharing what we learn across the group and with other farm clusters.

Moth Surveys

Glynne Evans and his wife have transformed our appreciation of moth populations in the area. Across 12 cluster farms nearly 29,000 moths covering 634 different species have been identified and recorded. Together this remarkable couple have recorded over 373,000 moths of 979 different species, including 18 rare and very rare species within the cluster area. Such records are a clear indication of the value of woodland habitat for biodiversity.

Butterfly Survey for 2023

In partnership with Reading University and the Leckford estate, Butterfly Conservation are exploring a project to undertake surveys on member’s farms in 2023. The survey is part of a wider EU funded project with Reading University. Discussions are underway to plan the survey and recruit volunteers to visit farms over the spring/summer. It is hoped that the project will follow a similar approach to that designed for the annual bird survey.

Our Projects

Our group is working with the Wessex Rivers Trust, The Piscatorial Society and The Test & Itchen Association on several projects aimed to improve the ecological status of our rivers

River restoration

Uptake of Countryside Stewardship is strong across the group which in turn is leading to a significant increase in the proportion of hedgerows and field margins managed for nature.

Biodiversity in the farmed landscape

Following the example of others there is growing interest in linking fragments of chalk grassland between neighbouring farms, particularly on the steep scarp slopes of the downs.