Wild Bird Cover on show at Tandragee

A number of farmers in DARD’s agri-environment schemes were invited to Tim McClelland’s arable farm at Tandragee, Co Armagh to see his wild bird cover crop. This is a spring sown crop which is left unharvested over winter for farmland birds to feed on. Weed seeds and insects in the crop can also be used as a food source for the birds and their chicks.

As part of Tim’s Countryside Management Scheme, he grows two ha of wild bird cover, half of which is a one year cereal base mix and the other half being a two year kale mix. The one year mix is made up of oats, barley and linseed whereas the two year mix has a proportion of kale included. Kale is a brassica and seeds in its second year to provide a food source for the following winter.

Wild bird cover is designed especially for a number of declining seed eating farmland birds such as the yellowhammer, tree sparrow, linnet and skylark. These birds have been identified as priority species for conservation in Northern Ireland. Agri-environment schemes aim to enhance biodiversity by managing farmland for the benefit of indigenous species and habitats.

Tim also discussed his other agri-environment scheme enhancement options such as retention of winter stubbles, ungrazed grass margins and hedge restoration. Tim comments that “Farmers are custodians of the countryside and must prove to their customers that they care for the environment”  

For further information about agri-environment scheme options that benefit farmland birds, contact Countryside Management Delivery Branch at your local DARD office.

Tim McClelland (left) discussing this year’s wild bird cover mix with a group of local farmers.