Wildlife Report October, November & December 2007

Langmead Farms Ltd continues to improve the bio-diversity on all our farms, especially on the 900 acres of organically farmed land, due to a change in government policy the field margins are changing in size. Further regulations are being applied, some of which we do not have the details, but looks as if set aside will be done away with in 2008. We will however continue with the hedgerow planting and improved management of hedges and copses.

Birds on Our Farms

At Home Farm, Selsey we estimated they were 20 pairs of breeding grey partridges in May. Due to the continuous wet weather in May, June and early July it appears that unfortunately no chicks survived. Amazingly though on the 10th August a red-legged partridge was seen with 13 day-old chicks, a very late date, and on this day the hedgerows at Selsey were full of willow warblers migrating south. Clearly the bad weather has affected the breeding populations in the south of England and it is hard to pick out any species that have done well.  

Butterflies

Although we had high hopes of a good season unfortunately once again the weather has taken its toll and numbers are down. The only rarity seen was a migrating Clouded Yellow.

This summer further work was carried out by students on work experience enabling them to earn a few extra pounds. The beetle banks have been enlarged and an area of approximately an acre has been cleared so that we should get a better showing of the wild flowers in the Spring 2008.

Access

Langmead Farms Ltd maintains at least 4.5Km of footpaths on our farms, some of which are also bridle ways, and we encourage all country lovers to use these footpaths wherever possible. As we are growing edible crops we request that all dogs are kept on a lead, your co-operation is appreciated.