Lincoln farmer showcases his environmental work with DEFRA backing
A Defra-backed Lincoln farmer who created a haven for wild birds, has built a hide to showcase his hard work.
Using funding under Defra's Countryside Stewardship Scheme, Dr Dave Carmichael has created more than 50 hectares of wetland - digging ponds and scrapes to provide habitats for distinctive birds. Now, with further Defra support, he has built a bird hide, with disabled access, to give others the chance to see the variety of flora and fauna at Delph Farm, Branston Booths, Lincs.
David Knott, Managing Director of Patrick Dean Ltd, which now manages the farm, said: "There's plenty for people to see all year round. In the summer there are brown hares running around and lots of voles, which in turn attract barn owls. At one point I counted five. The water dried up in the majority of the scrapes during last year's hot dry summer. However there were still a number of grey partridge, red-legged partridge and lapwings.
"For most of the year the ditches are full of water, this attracts many of the little birds -various warblers, buntings and some larger species such as mallards, teal, moorhens and coots; all have the ideal habitat for breeding and feeding '
"At the moment there are swans and lapwings, golden plovers, partridges and a number of thrushes. I've also seen several species of gull, the odd heron and several small wading birds.
"As well as the varied wildlife, there's plenty of interesting flora that's developed in the wet grassland. In the summer there were knodding thistles - which are apparently quite rare -and there are soft rushes, bull rushes and various forms of reed.
"The bird hide is now complete and offers wonderful views across the land. It's a great place to see the impact that agri-environment schemes, like Countryside Stewardship, along with a lot of enthusiasm and hard work, can make on a place."
Dr Camichael said: "It gives me a great sense of satisfaction to see the results of all the planning we've put in over the last few years and it's particularly rewarding now to be able to share the results with our community."
Janet Lambert, an adviser at Defra's Rural Development Service in the East Midlands, said: "I'm really pleased to see the difference the scheme has made to the land. It's wonderful that Dr Carmichael has not only provided these birds with a place to live, therefore helping to ensure their survival, but is also giving people the chance to come and see this rather unusual environment for themselves. There are now all too few wetland sites left in the East of England."
