Conservation
Conservation takes centre stage in our future plans at Backswood. We are currently in a Mid-Tier stewardship scheme for the farmland and a Higher-tier Stewardship Scheme for the woodland. These two schemes enable us to enhance the wildlife we have, by creating new habitats and providing new food sources to promote greater bio-diversity.
On the farmland, we have created a small area of permanent grass, which will not be grazed but will in turn provide beneficial habitat for voles and mice. This area will provide a valuable source of food for barn owls, kestrels and other birds of prey. To help songbird survival when food is scarce through the winter months, we have planted a large plot of winter bird food. This is a two-year mix made up of plants that provide large quantities of seed throughout the long winter period. When the food sources start to deplete in the hedgerows, these seeds will hopefully keep energy levels up to help song bird survival.
Crimson Clover
Finches on Flower Seeds
We have also created a number of wildflower meadows on the farm. These consist of a wide range of native flowering species that deliver an essential pollen and nectar source for pollinators,. The seeds from these flowers provide a good source of protein for birds as well. Many of the pasture fields are sympathetically managed to promote native flower growth and the sward height is maintained to prevent over-grazing.
Like most traditional Devon farms, Backswood has lots of small fields and many hedgerows. These are vital to all sorts or wildlife, providing homes for mammals, food for insects and nesting sites for birds. Most of our hedgerows have been around for hundreds of years and are made up or a whole range of different plant species. We trim all hedges on a three year rotation with the exception of those on the roadside. These are cut annually for safety reasons. By giving a long interval between cuts enables plants to produce a bountiful crop of winter bird food. It also maintains the shape of the hedge and let’s light into the middle to protect density. We have recently planted over 5,000 mixed hedging plants to provide even more habitat and food.
New Hedges
Owl Box
Tit Box
New Trees
In the woodland our aim is to rejuvenate areas that have suffered from a lack of management over a period of about 50 years. Up until the First World War forestry was providing employment for many people but since then woodlands have fallen into disrepair. Our aim is to eventually restore the number of habitats that make a woodland function as it should. By opening up rides we provide a layered structure to the planting. The hazel has been brought back into rotation to provide food for mammals like wood mice and dormice. We protect young trees from squirrels and deer, and finally controlling invasive plants like bracken and holly. We have recently planted 2500 new native trees in the wood to replace diseased ash. To help the woodland wildlife, we have recently installed 160 new nesting boxes for songbirds, dormice, bats and raptors.