Farmer's bird haven gets praise

9:17am Wednesday 27th August 2008

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A FARMER, who has allowed parts of his land to become a haven for birds and wildlife, has been shortlisted in a national competition.

Henry Edmunds' farm at Cholderton is one of four selected as finalists in the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Nature of Farming Award.

The competition is aimed at rewarding farmers who manage their land so wild plants thrive, birds have a safe spot in which to breed and there is plenty of food for wildlife.

For the last 20 years, Mr Edmunds has worked hard to improve the habitat for wildlife on his organic-mixed farm on the Cholderton Estate.

His fields have wide margins which provide safe nest sites for birds, and there are tall, thick hedges which have seen wildlife flocking to the farm.

More than 100 of the UK's rarest and most precious species including warblers and turtle doves have been seen on the farm, which the competition judges described as a "lesson in bio-diversity".

"It's fantastic to do an early morning bird survey there and see not just birds but brown hares in every field and roe deer with their fawns," said Tracey Williams from the RSPB.

"I saw five different species of endangered butterfly in just ten minutes.

"It's not an easy decision to turn to organic farming, but the wildlife soon responds to these efforts and Cholderton Estate shows how both farming and wildlife can prosper."

People can cast their votes in the competition at www.rspb.org.uk/farmvote until September 26.

The winner will be invited to a gala in London where they will receive a £1,000 prize.

"Whether I win the competition or not, I'm glad to be doing my bit for wildlife," said Mr Edmunds.

"I believe farming and a healthy environment can co-exist and I want to be able to prove that."