The Lymington Directory April May 2019

More documents

Recommendations

Info

WILDLIFE MATTERS ……... to all of us RSPB – ‘Hope Farm’ Project This article is the first of two about ‘Re-wilding/ Farmland’ projects. Three-quarters of the UK is farmland. Farmland birds have fallen between 1970 and the present day by 54%. Turtle Dove numbers plummeted by 97%, Grey Partridge by 92% and Corn Bunting by 91%. In 2000, I was privileged to be a founder member of the RSPB Hope Farm project, a 450 acre arable farm in Knapwell, Cambridgeshire. The project was designed to demonstrate that farming for wildlife can work and yet still be profitable. In part, wildlife has declined because of the removal of hedgerows and planting crops right up to boundary edges thus, removing the last areas for wild flowers and insects to flourish. The RSPB purchased Hope Farm to research and demonstrate management techniques which could be followed by other farmers. Nearly twenty years later the experimental farming project has realised many key aspirations. Skylark: 2010 - 10 territories. 2015 - 43. The increase is put down to the use of Skylark plots i.e. land left free of crops to create safe areas where birds could breed. Yellowhammer: 2010 - 14 territories, 2015 - 35 territories. 2000/01 - peak winter count - 2. 2015/16 - 723 Turtle Dove: Since 1995 numbers have dropped by 94%. Owing to loss of habitat e.g. hedgerows, scrub and woodland, crucial in providing nesting sites. Low open Turtle Dove vegetation with an abundance of weed seeds is also required as is fresh water to drink. England’s ‘Farmland Bird Index’ (FBI) has dropped by around 10% since 2000. Hope Farm’s increased in 2015 by 174% from 2000 levels. Winter Bird Counts: In 2000 the maximum winter count was 308. In 2015, it had increased to 2,542. The three essential ingredients to increasing farmland birds: • Safe nesting places • Food in spring/summer for growing chicks and • Food and shelter over the winter. Marbled White butterfly Butterflies: 2015 - Numbers up by 223% from 2000 levels. The increase is put down to more wild flowers along the edges of fields that provide both food and plants that provide egglaying niches for the butterflies. Bumblebees: The farm has three times as many bumblebees as a nearby farm which doesn’t have so many wild flowers. Conclusion: The RSPB farming experiment tells us that not only can a lot be done for wildlife but the farm can also remain viable. There’s ‘Hope’ yet. Further information from: Keith Metcalf – MCV Conservation Officer (01590) 645825 or (07771) 918449 or email keithmetcalf@btinternet.com www.milfordcv.org 10 To advertise email: info@lymingtondirectory.co.uk, or call 01590 643969 / 07801 562358
“...Absolutely thrilled…” Mrs E 7 Angel Courtyard, High Street Lymington, Hants, SO41 9AP T: 01590 675675 www.iceinterior.co.uk Please mention The Lymington Directory when responding to advertisements 11
Page 2 and 3: WE ARE A WELL ESTABLISHED FAMILY RU
Page 4 and 5: FOLLOWING THE LYMINGTON BLUE PLAQUE
Page 6 and 7: Gardening & Landscaping Services We
Page 8 and 9: 8 Dr Raquel Valentim Aesthetics: Ly
Page 12 and 13: 12 To advertise email: info@lymingt
Page 14 and 15: www.curielkitchendesigns.co.uk Your
Page 16 and 17: Marion Joy Jenkins 16 To advertise
Page 20 and 21: COMMUNITY CARERS REQUIRED Excellent
Page 22 and 23: Nick Wells Fencing & Gardening Serv
Page 26 and 27: The Lymington Care Group has been d
Page 28 and 29: Lymington Arts Group Wellington Roo
Page 30 and 31: Lymington Volunteering Drop-In Ever
Page 32 and 33: EASY SUDOKUS Each 3x3 box, as well
Page 34 and 35: THE • Foggy, misted, broken doubl
Page 36 and 37: Visit our showroom in Lymington: 26
Page 38 and 39: • •Security advice & upgrades H
Page 40 and 41: Perfect Plastering & Plumbing Home
Page 42 and 43: Call on 07496 570387 or 01590 61556
Page 44 and 45: Nursing Home 01590 648000 enquiry@s
Page 48 and 49: LOCAL ORGANISATIONS: SUPPORT, FRIEN
Page 50 and 51: USEFUL NUMBERS Emergency Services E
Page 52 and 53: Geoff Dunk DipPFS, Certs CII (MP &
Page 54 and 55: 54 ACCOUNTANCY Every Cloud 14 ARCHI
Page 56: 56 To advertise email: info@lymingt

The Lymington Directory April May 2019

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?