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Join our resident bird expert Toby Fountain with special guest Ben Andrews exploring the array of beautiful and charismatic bird species dependent on agricultural habitats which can be described as ‘farmland birds’.
Including iconic species such as barn owl, curlew, and yellowhammer, we will discuss the general ecological and conservation themes relating to farmland birdlife in Britain, and why so many of these species have experienced some of the most dramatic declines of any of British birds. With the unique insight of Ben Andrews, a well-known nature friendly farmer in Herefordshire with a passion for birds, we will explore how some farmers are adapting their management practices for birds and achieving fantastic results; in 2024 Ben had breeding lapwings, yellow wagtails and the first record of a singing corn bunting in Herefordshire in over fifteen years!
We will also look in detail at the significant farmland species found in Herefordshire, discussing their identification features and general ecology. Excitingly, this will also include two species which were thought to be locally extinct in Herefordshire that were rediscovered breeding locally in 2024: corn bunting and tree sparrow, an indication that there is more hope for such species than previously thought. We will also discuss how members of the public can help the conservation of farmland species via recording and participating in various projects.