East Suffolk Council
Funding available to support farmland birds in East Suffolk
Landowners and managers within East Suffolk are being invited to apply for funding to help protect vulnerable bird species living within the district’s farmed landscapes.
The East Suffolk Farmland Bird Support Fund (FBSF) which is being delivered by East Suffolk Council has been established to reduce the impact of the Sizewell C project on farmland birds.
A total of around £300,000 in funding is set to be awarded, with grants of between £5,000 and £15,000 to help landowners and users to deliver projects that will create, restore, and enhance habitats for birds that use farmland for cover, nesting and to find food.
Examples of how the funding could be spent include:
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Planting wildflowers along field edges, creating meadows, and leaving areas of rough grass
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Planting native hedges, trees, and shrubs, and enhancing existing hedges
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Making ponds and introducing marginal planting
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Providing places for birds to nest
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Giving extra food to farmland birds during the winter
Councillor Tom Daly, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Energy and Climate Change, said: “The Suffolk coast has a rich biodiversity with many important and rare bird species such as Yellowhammers,Turtle Doves and Stone-curlews, which rely on farmland to survive.
“We want to work with farmers, gamekeepers and landowners to help protect and encourage bird species to thrive, with priority given to projects from areas most affected by the Sizewell C project.
“We recognise the vital role farmers and landowners fulfil in conservation, so we want to collaborate to help protect and encourage bird species to thrive. Priority will be given to projects from areas most affected by the Sizewell C project, but we’re inviting applicants to think creatively about how this funding can be used.
“What would be of particular benefit would be the establishment of permanent unsprayed field margins or the developing wildlife corridors, as they make use of uncultivated land to support biodiversity.”
Landowners or managers with land used for farming or next to farmland can apply, or if the land has been identified to be within a ‘Natural Environment Improvement Area’, though projects outside this area may also be considered.
Those interested in applying for the funding will need to submit an expression of interest form which will outline their proposal, with the council providing guidance where required before being invited to submit a full application. Funding will be distributed on a first come first served basis until all the money has been awarded.
Find out more about the East Suffolk Farmland Bird Support Fund (FBSF).
For further information, contact: farmlandbirds@eastsuffolk.gov.uk
Photo credit: Natural England, Owen Beaumont.