Turning the tide on lapwing decline Record breaking temperatures across most of Europe in July once again ensured that climate and biodiversity issues were never far from the headlines. JENNIFER STRUTHERS, SENIOR CONSULTANT In certain parts of the world, and some might say all too often,
In most instances, these plots
farmers are vilified as being the root of the problem. While
cover a small percentage of
some might accept that they are not without flaw and there is
total farmed land but have
room for improvement, it should also be recognised that
yielded a significant response
farmers can play an integral role in working towards a solution.
in the limited number of species monitored.
Here in Scotland, SAC Consulting has been integral in a project
Additionally, these crops should also benefit other species,
where one group of farmers, from the Clyde Valley, are aiming to
providing overwintered feed for birds, small mammals and
turn the tide on the worrying decline of one of the country’s key
invertebrates.
bird species, the Lapwing, by altering their farming practises and returning small areas of grassland to a cropping rotation.
Other birds were noticeably using the bare earth on the plots to forage for insects. Farm productivity has also benefitted with
The dramatic change in our agricultural landscape over the
the brassica crop used to feed lambs, which have in turn
decades is undeniable as businesses have increased
fertilised the soil and allowed an entry for a grass reseed
mechanisation, striving to increase production. The historic
improving the overall grassland.
move away from hay to multi cut silage is one often lamented as a nail in the coffin for many ground nesting birds.
These practises are nothing new and clearly demonstrates that some of the problems we face do not necessarily need complex
Upland farms now no longer grow a crop of oats for horses or
solutions. Commercial farming and nature can (and does) work
turnips for cattle, and few upland farms can economically
together, with small changes making the world of difference.
justify growing barley. This reduction in diversity of habitat on farms has had negative effects on the wader population. With the valuable support of Naturescot and Working for Waders, the farmers have found that returning small areas to crops, namely hybrid Kale varieties, has increased biodiversity on their farms. These crops have been monitored for nesting success of farmland wading birds, predominately Lapwing, and have reported 75% nesting success in comparison with neighbouring grassland fields. Grazing the brassica crops with sheep until the beginning of March followed by a period of stock exclusion until late June
Get in touch
seems to have contributed to the excellent hatching success.
jennifer.struthers@sac.co.uk
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