Farming, mainly tillage. Conservation, mainly birds.
Ireland
Joined March 2010
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One of the largest dedicated farmland bird surveys to take place in Ireland is ongoing in east Cork atm. Funded by @SECADCork and @IrishDistillers with help from @TeagascEnviron Midleton and @DairygoldCo_Op 80sq km are being surveyed to see what crops birds use in winter …..
..with a special focus on stubble V shallow cultivation. Last night @AlanMc_23 went mist netting to see how stubble and wild bird food crop differed at night. Extra Owls, Woodcock (3 of each) & Skylark it seems.
The farmyard provided good shelter for the Swift boxes in the recent heat, these chicks seem ready to jump. They spend a lot of time checking out their surroundings before taking the leap. Though I suppose it’s equally possible they’re just being nosy.
New beetle bank still a work in progress but it’s nice to a see a good population of Aphid Terminators appearing. #Ladybirds #FarmlandBiodiversity
Looks like most of the ploughs in east Cork were out the past week. Balancing the needs of food production and nature isn’t easy as I’ve seen groups of Skylark flying around looking for a new winter home. Good to see the @farmersjournal recently call for more research ….
It might not be very regenerative but Skylarks really love winter stubble. Over 170 in this field even though volunteers have already been sprayed off.
Industry, farmers and conservationists working together, it might be a model worth pursuing. Also thanks to everyone who helped out with logistics @John_Dunne_ @DairygoldCo_Op and all the surveyors.
100 tillage farmers, @IrishDistillers @BirdWatchIE
staff @SECADCork are working together to protect endangered East Cork birds. @McConalogue
@pippa_hackett @noonan_malcolm 💪👏👏 @moorewp, John Lusby & Co.
irishexaminer.com/news/munst… 1/n
That’s a lot of bird food. About a ton and a half in fact for supplementary feeding of farmland birds over the winter as part of @npwsBioData Tillage Farm Plan scheme
Delighted to collect a fantastic plaque for the farm from #FFN21 . Congratulations to @maynoothfarmer on being worthy winner.
It would be good to get farmers responding to this one
🥁Poll : Question for farmers. Pls RT 🥁Ireland’s proposed CAP ‘space for nature’ ecoscheme-setting aside area for biodiversity(eg hedgerows, maybe wet features etc) doesn’t encourage improvement of the quality of habitats for biodiversity. Poll below:
20%Can’t do everything
7%Not my responsibility
72%How can I help?
54 votes • Final resultsMulti species bird cover gone in as part of GLAS, seeds from @Bright_Seeds . In expectation of a rodent explosion in the autumn Barn Owl perches also in place #ipm
Reall interesting @TeagascCrops forum on carbon this morning. Three take always I got. Reduce inputs, early autumn green cover and hedgerows more like this to move towards C neutrality , oh and + biodiversity.
Really enjoyed reading this book. I hope @elvirawerkman doesn’t mind me posting a page from it. No surprise I’m sure to anyone who reads it but still….
Delighted to be selected as a #FFN Ambassador for 2021. Follow the link below and check out the video for a snippet of my take on the importance of farmland habitats and also the other excellent nominees. All votes appreciated.
BIG NEWS...the #FFNpublicvoteaward2021 is now open!! 🤩 We are delighted to introduce you to our first cohort of 7 wonderful FFN Ambassadors for 2021. Follow the link to watch our farm video series and vote for your favourite story: farmingfornature.ie/awards/v…
#ffnambassadors2021
A Hen Harrier hunting for hours over stubble fields in east Cork today. Conversion of arable farmland to intensive dairy pasture is an unheralded threat to wintering populations of many special bird species. This bird never hunted on the pasture side of the hedgerow.
The difference between a Damselfly and a Dragonfly. Takes “I’ll ate the head off ya” to a whole new level.
Finished my squares for east Cork farmland bird survey. A survey covering 50sq km and over 100farms. Funded by @IrishDistillers and @SECADCork. Lots and lots of Yellowhammers here, other biodiversity also available… thanks also for logistics help to …
