Ref: CSFF100004
Lead: Giles & Judith, gilesstrother@bbowt.org.uk/judithverdon@bbowt.org.uk
Group members: 9
Length of agreement: 3
Area of group (Hectares): 2340
Priority Habitats – Key priorities are to maintain, restore and create native woodland, riparian habitats and lowland meadows. There are also small areas of lowland fen and wood pasture within the project area. We will seek to improve the connectivity of these habitats to encourage priority species and improve water quality.
Priority Species – We have a keen interest in encouraging farmland birds, including corn bunting and willow tit. We will increase provision of the ‘big three’.
Improving native woodland will encourage woodland birds, bats and butterflies.
We will restore wet areas of farmland to encourage breeding waders. We will also give consideration to levels of predator control in the valley as a possible strategy for increasing fledging success.
We will improve the management of hedges, ponds and margins to provide for pollinators and wild birds (and other species).
Water – Improving water quality is a high priority, with bringing back brown trout a key aim. The catchment is a priority for phosphates and pesticides, which we will reduce by improving soils and acting on the principles of water-friendly farming.
Woodland – We will run training courses to increase landowners’ confidence in managing woods and hedges (linking with improving habitat for farmland birds). We will plant trees to increase habitat connectivity, reduce flooding and clean water.
Multiple benefits – We will target the creation/expansion of wetland, woodland, hedges and low-input grassland to achieve multiple benefits (such as natural flood management).
We will identify ways to increase resilience to climate change.
