About the Farm
‘Farming for Conservation’ is an initiative which aims to reverse the decline of farmland flora and fauna, whilst still managing to meet the demands of the modern food market. Our aim is to encourage the growth of the many species of plants and animals which sadly have been lost as a result of intensification in farming.
Situated on the outskirts of Ormskirk, the farm spans 36 hectares (94.05 acres) 2.5 acres of which are woodland and a disused railway line. Soils on the farm range from black loam to heavy clay. Fifty one acres of this is used for the production of sprouts, spring cabbage, leeks and potatoes and the remaining acreage for cultivation of spring and winter barley. Local produce supplies both the local and national market.
All root crops are hand harvested and machinery with 4WD are used to reduce soil compaction and damage.
The acreage of woodland on the farm has been designated a Biological Heritage site due to it’s abundance of bluebells and ransom (wild garlic). Wood anemone is also present.
Conservation on the Farm
Current ongoing projects include:
RSPB Tree Sparrow Project - The RSPB have provided 25+ nesting boxes and over winter feed.
RSPB Volunteer & Farmer Alliance - Four recent surveys have produced positive sightings of 9+ species of red listed birds.
Entry Level Scheme (ELS) - Hedge management under this scheme was started in 2005. Buffer strips of 2, 4, and 6 metres were created along the ditches and dissused railway line. Four skylark plots have been created and over wintered stubbles have been left.
Higher Level Scheme (HLS) - This ten year programme was started in February 2007 and has included:
- Planting and gapping of hedgerows (over 1000m of new hedgerow)
- Four barn owl boxes
- Creation of a wildlife pond
- Two pollen and nectar plots
- One cultivated strip attracting wild flora
- 2.5 acres of Corn Bunting nesting area
Others projects include the creation of 2.5 acres of un harvested corn margins and 5 acres of wild bird mixes providing winter food. Spring barley has also been left untouched to provide easier access at nesting time for the birds.
Himalayan Balsam will be removed and the numbers of sycamore reduced.
Wildlife on the Farm
Red listed birds - Linnet, Grey Partridge, Corn Bunting, Skylark, House Sparrow, Song Thrush, Starling, Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer.
Other regularly seen birds - Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant, Treecreeper, Willow Warbler Snipe, Red-Legged Partridge, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Woodcock, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush, Jackdaw, Redwing, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Chiffchaff, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Rook, Starling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Black-Headed Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Heron, Mallard, Sparrowhawk, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Common Whitethroat, Reed Bunting.
Birds seen no more than three times - Wood Warbler, Willow Tit, Stonechat, Cuckoo, Hen Harrier, Stock Dove, Peregrine, Nuthatch.
Butterflies - Red Admiral, Large Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Orange Tip, Brimstone, Large White, Common Blue, Small Copper, Small Tortioseshell, Painted Lady, Peacock, Comma, Wall Brown, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper.
Damselflies and Dragonflies - Common Blue Damselfly and Blue Tailed Damselfly, Brown Hawker, Emperor Dragonfly, Four Spotted Chaser, Broadbodied Chaser and Common Darter
Brown Hare - The brown hare is seen on the farm throughout the year.
Flowers - Bluebell, Ramsom, Wood Anemone, Lesser Celandine, Dog Rose, Wild Mint, Broom, Bramble, Common Gorse, Dog's Mercury, Common Field Speedwell, Coltsfoot, Foxglove, Moschantil (town hall clock), Red Campion, White Campion, Sun Spurge, Greater Stichwort, Common Vetch, Meadow Vetchling, Red Clover, White Clover, Wood Sorrel, Sweet Violet, Field Pansy, Rosebay Willow Herb, Cow Parsley, Field Forget-Me-Not, Bugle, Spear Thistle, Marsh Marigold, Garlic Mustard Corn Marigold, Ragged Robin, Yarrow, Oxeye Daisy, Golden Saxifarge, St John's Wort, Buttercup, Herb Robert, Black Nightshade, Cowslip, Primsrose, Buttercup.
Trees - Oak, Horsechesnut, Beech, Sycamore, Willow, Silver Birch, Hawthorn, Hazel, Wych Elm, Ash, Rowan, Holly, Elderberry, Alder, Wild Cherry, Lime.
