Pembrokeshire occupant beef farmer, Tony Cadogan, who keeps a herd of 50 Hereford suckler cows plus fans on his seaside farm near Kilgetty, has actually opened evictions to his farm to host an info session with the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Wales and the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), on what farmers can do to help the bird population on their farms prosper ahead of the Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC) fortnight (Friday 3 February – Sunday 19 February 2023).
Farming 132 hectares which he handles as 56.5 hectares of arable and 53 hectares of lawn together with grazed saltmarsh and forest, the land is divided over 3 blocks, with the 2 primary blocks being signed up as natural, which are likewise in the Glastir Advanced and Glastir Organic plans.
Mr Cadogan, a huge follower in farming to the advantage of the environment around him, led a farm walk with members and visitor speaker Bleddyn Thomas, Project Officer at the GWCT Wales, at which they recognized curlews, woodpeckers, oyster catchers, robins, teals, shelducks, starlings, Canada geese, redshanks, blue tits, black headed gulls, lapwings and meadow pipits.
He said:
“I try to make sure that the way I farm doesn’t just produce sustainable and nutritious food but also looks after the environment around me. Our farmland birds have an important role to play in the ecosystem of the farm and seeing them thrive is important to me. The Big Farmland Bird Count is a great initiative and is simple enough to get involved with. It is also a great way to showcase the important work farmers are already doing. I would encourage farmers to find out more about the BFBC and get involved.”
FUW Deputy President Ian Rickman who signed up with the occasion said:
“There is an abundance of wildlife on the farm which bears testament to Tony’s hard work and dedication to make the farm a home for livestock, wildlife and farmland birds. We enjoyed a really informative session here and I thank Tony for hosting this event and the GWCT for the presentation and guided farm walk.”
Bleddyn Thomas, Project Officer at the GWCT Wales, included:
“The Big Farmland Bird Count celebrates 10 years this year. It gives us a snapshot of the farmland bird population across the country, giving us an idea of how conservation work is helping. Visiting farms such as New Shipping Farm, gives farmers and land managers an opportunity to showcase the great work they do. The count gives farmers a monitoring tool to assess bird life on their land year on year. It was a great day visiting Tony’s farm, and it was plain to see the farming methods and grazing regimes they have implemented are working for wildlife, as well as profitable farming, which of course is essential.”
How to get included:
- On one day in between 3rd and 19th February invest about thirty minutes tape-recording the types and variety of birds seen on one specific location of the farm. You can select your own area however someplace with a good view of around 2 ha of the farm would be perfect.
- You’ll be asked to tape the kinds of environment and cropping on and nearby to your count website to help offer us with more information about your count area.
- To see the greatest variety of birds it is advised that the website consists of or is close to a location of video game or wild seed mix or someplace that supplemental feeding occurs.
- Ideally, counting ought to occur in the beginning light as this is when the birds are most active. However, it is more vital that you participate, so timings ought to fit you.
“It is important that you submit your results online via the BFBC website and I hope many of you will take part again,” included Ian Rickman.
For more details go to:
Big Farmland Bird Count – GWCT Wales Farming Community
