Environment

Farmland conservation

Projects that have benefited farming and wildlife include re-instating many miles of dykes, replacing blocked culverts and also forming foot drains. These are used to bring water on to the marshes in the dry summer months and take water from the marshes to prevent flooding in winter.

The close proximity of Halvergate, Reedham and Berney Marshes to the Breydon estuary means they are home to approximately 20 per cent of Norfolk's population of breeding waders.

Barry Brooks, Clive Doarks and Colin
Hitchman of Natural England and Ian
Robinson of RSPB discussing
the merits of a newfoot drain in 2001

Beckhithe 'lollipop' foot drain design
created in 2004 following trials of
different.designs to improve habitat
for breeding waders and lapwings

In addition, the influence of the RSPB's management actions mean that the area attracts approximately 17,500 pink footed geese, 30,000 lapwings, 26,000 wigeon and up to 30,000 golden plovers each year.

As well as receiving international recognition for farmland conservation, the farm has been nominated for various food awards.

Without profit from farming, landscape quality and wildlife interest would suffer. As land managers, Beckhithe see themselves not only producing food but also enhancing the Broadland environment.

Higher Level Stewardship

Following Countryside Stewardship Beckhithe Farms have worked closely with Mason Ecology to enter all of the farm into Higher Level Stewardship agreements. In the winter of 2010 and spring 2011 Mason Ecology conducted wintering and breeding bird surveys of the grazing marshes with exciting results. The agreements run for ten years and include management of ditches of very high environmental value, maintenance of wet grassland for Breeding Waders, maintenance of wet grassland for Wintering Waders & Wildfowl. Beckhithe have also planted 13.2 kilometres of new hedgerows since purchasing the farm which together with 33kilometres of unpaid green margins around the arable fields provide important habitats for a range of wildlife, including invertebrates, birds & small mammals.

1 Hectare Grass Free Pollen & Nectar Mixes