Wild flowers on farms the best habitat for wildlife say ecologists

By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent

Farmers in Britain are encouraged to sow wild plants on crop margins as part of subsidised environmental schemes.

However a new study has found that grass alone will not help wildlife as much as planting flowers like knapweed, yarrow and bird's-foot trefoil.

Conservationists said the research showed how important it is for farmers to grow more wild flowers, especially for rare birds like yellowhammers and skylarks. Ultimately it will encourage predators like barn owns and kestrels.

The research, published in the journal Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, found field margins could provide food for animals more cost-effectively than "whole farm practices" such as organic farming – but a variety of margins needs to be managed well to provide food all year round.

Wild flowers provide more seeds for insects and birds. Also hedgerows need to be provided alongside the margins to maximise nesting opportunities for birds and habitat for insects.

Richard Winspear, senior agricultural adviser with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, urged farmers to consider incorporating flowers into margins they sowed this autumn.

"If farmers are planting further margins this autumn, then there are significant further benefits to adding flowers to the mix," he said.

"Flower-rich margins hold the greatest variety and abundance of insects of any margin type. Such margins alongside watercourses could be a simple way for farmers to benefit both wildlife and water quality."

Farmers include field margins alongside their crops as part of agri-environment schemes subsidised by Europe, which pay them to manage their land for the environment.

The RSPB and other groups had wanted farmers to be required to set aside a certain amount of land for wildlife in order to replace the benefits of the old "set-aside" scheme that had benefited wildlife by leaving land fallow.

However the Government has chosen to stick with a voluntary programme, the Campaign for the Farmed Environment, to persuade farmers to leave land for wildlife.

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Program to explain 'Landscaping on the Wild Side'

ARTHUR — University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Sandy Mason will share easy ways to develop an attractive landscape that birds, butterflies and other wildlife will appreciate during the program “Landscaping on the Wild Side – Attracting Wildlife to your Yard.”

The program will be offered twice: at 1 p.m. July 14 and at 7 p.m. July 16.All programs offered in this summer series will be held at Moultrie-Douglas Extension office, 122 S. Walnut St., Arthur.

The presentation will be via the University of Illinois telenet system and local computer Power Point presentations, allowing live discussion between the instructor and gardeners throughout Illinois.

Program to explain 'Landscaping on the Wild Side'

www.jg-tc.com

ARTHUR — University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Sandy Mason will share easy ways to develop an attractive landscape that birds, butterflies and other wildlife will appreciate during the program “Landscaping on the Wild Side – Attracting Wildlife to your Yard.”

The program will be offered twice: at 1 p.m. July 14 and at 7 p.m. July 16.All programs offered in this summer series will be held at Moultrie-Douglas Extension office, 122 S. Walnut St., Arthur.

The presentation will be via the University of Illinois telenet system and local computer Power Point presentations, allowing live discussion between the instructor and gardeners throughout Illinois.

If interested in participating, call Moultrie-Douglas Extension at 543-3755 and reserve a seat and packet of information.Pre-registration is needed, especially for the Thursday session. There is a $5 fee to help cover the cost of handout materials.