You may have seen Countryfile programmes on BBC earlier this year which contained features about tree planting. These are part of a Landscape Recovery Programme of which there are 22 in the country. At River Holme Connections we are taking part in one of these programmes under our Nature’s Holme banner. Since 2018, with the help of over 1000 of our worthy volunteers, we have planted over 94,000 trees and over 14 km of hedgerow, with the aim of capturing carbon (thereby reducing the impact of climate change), increasing habitat connectivity, reducing flood risk and improving water quality. When the trees and hedges become fully established there will also be an increase in biodiversity.
So far so good, but do we know what benefits this hard work will bring? It is important that we try to measure the effects. Birds are a good indicator of change. We know that our farmland birds have declined considerably since the 1950’s, and we can all recount anecdotes of how there used to be lots of Sparrows around our houses. These declines can be put down to a number of factors including Climate Change, loss of habitat, development, changes in agricultural practice, predation by cats etc.
This spring we will be carrying out a survey in the area bounded by Holmfirth, Meltham and Honley to establish what breeding birds are there currently. This survey will form a baseline and will be repeated at intervals over the next 25 years so we can monitor the changes and hopefully quantify the benefits.
The area has been divided into 7 patches, each of which will be walked on a set route 5 times. Eleven experienced bird watchers have volunteered to carry out the surveys. A protocol has been written which will ensure that each observer will follow the same methodology. All information will be recorded and stored. As there is a long time frame this protocol has been written so that in the future different experienced birdwatchers could carry out the surveys in an identical manner. This will enable us to compare results over time. We hope to publish the results from this current survey later in the year.
So, if you are walking in the area at 7am between April and mid-June and you see observers carrying binoculars and clip boards walking slowly across fields, you will know what they are doing. Say Hi to them but don’t expect much conversation as the work involves a lot of skill and concentration. They are doing work which will demonstrate the benefits of the hard work done by volunteers and hopefully our children, grandchildren and great grand children will be proud of the work we have done.
Written by Chris Abell (Trustee) 12/3/24
Read the full survey here 2024 Bird Survey.
