Suffolk Wildlife Trust - Farm wildlife, monitoring and surveying

Farm wildlife MONITORING & SURVEYING

Monitoring & surveying Farmland supports a wide diversity of wildlife, with several species specialising in open and cultivated habitats and many more in the margins and seminatural areas that remain within many farms.

Wildlife has been declining in recent decades by almost every measure. Through a well-defined survey and monitoring plan, delivered from Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s farmland advisory service and volunteer network, you can better understand the fortunes of the wildlife on your farm and deliver for its needs.

SMALL TORTOISESHELL: STEVE AYLWARD, COMMON FROG: PHILIP PRECEY, NIGHTINGALE: STEPHAN JOHANSSON, FARMLAND POND: STEVE AYLWARD MAIN PIC: SARAH GROVES

SURVEYS

SURVEY

OUTCOMES

TIMING

COST

Farmland breeding birds

Survey of breeding farmland birds, focusing on yellowhammer, skylark and lapwing. Other priority records should be generated, including nightingale and turtle dove.

April-July

Free

Pollinating insects

Volunteer-led survey of pollinating insects, recording an abundance metric to measure success of habitat enhancements.

April-September

Free

Surveys of farmland ponds to inform restoration and management, including great crested newt records. Some botanical and invertebrate records may also be generated.

April-September

Free

Ponds Dormouse habitat

Survey of habitats for likely presence of hazel dormouse. Available in high priority areas, informing recommendation for full survey.

Year round

Free

Water vole

Survey of waterways for water vole signs, producing records and habitat management recommendations.

May-September

Free

Arable plants

Survey of rare arable plants, producing records and informing management actions.

May-September

At cost from £300

Flora

Surveys of flora where likely to produce useful records – as advised.

May-September

At cost*

Fungi

Survey of fruiting fungi species, producing records.

August-November

At cost*

Dragonflies

Survey of adult dragonflies, producing records.

June-September

At cost*

Bats

Survey of foraging bats, producing records and ecological notes for species using site.

May-September

At cost*

Breeding birds

Survey for all species of breeding birds, territory mapping and habitat management recommendations.

April-July

At cost from £900

Wintering birds

Survey of wintering birds, population estimates and habitat management advice.

September-March

At cost from £700

Dormouse presence

Informed by habitat assessment survey, in priority areas where likely presence advised.

April-October

At cost from £400 *Cost as advised

FARM WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER NETWORK Managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust Farmland Wildlife Adviser, the farm wildlife volunteer network provides trained volunteers to monitor wildlife on farms across the county. Our volunteers are enthusiastic and knowledgeable naturalists who give up their time to help us chart the changes in farmland bird and pollinator populations in Suffolk.

John Pawsey, Shimpling Park Farm

GET IN TOUCH HOVERFLIES: ALAMY

I have great data now for a more targeted future scheme

By hosting a volunteer surveyor, you will be making a valuable contribution to the understanding of wildlife on Suffolk’s farmland. You will receive records from their surveys to help you understand the fortunes of your farm’s wildlife and help to connect an enthusiastic local naturalist to the countryside.

Contact Sam to book your free visit

Registered charity no 262777

01473 890089 sam.hanks@suffolkwildlifetrust.org suffolkwildlifetrust.org/farmland-wildlife-advice SWTWildFarms