15 October 2009

By Elizabeth Whiteside, Countryside Management Delivery Branch, DARD

When it comes to feeding the birds, Anne and Derek Martin make a special effort on their farm at Castlerennon just outside Banbridge.  They have been in DARD's Countryside Management Scheme for eight years and have continuously grown wild bird cover as part of their agreement.  The crop pictured is a two-year mixture of kale and quinoa which was established in the spring.

This scheme option provides crop seeds as food for farmland birds, mostly during winter. Wild bird cover can be sown as a one year or two year crop.

Derek says: “Both Anne and I have noticed more birds around the farm. We both agree that planting wild bird cover as part of our Countryside Management Scheme agreement has played a part in this increase. We love to see the birds flying to the wild bird cover, especially over the winter, when food is not so plentiful in the hedgerows.”

If you are in an agri-environment scheme and would like more information on wild bird cover and other arable options, contact Countryside Management Staff at your local Co Down DARD office.

Notes to Editors

1. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619.

2. A copy of the photo that issued with this article is available on request from the Press Office.