Friday, 1 January 2010

Saturday October 16th, Cottenham Village College


CBC/BTO Conference

Farming and Bird Conservation

Cambridgeshire Bird Club conference in collaboration with the British Trust for Ornithology and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Saturday 16th October: Cottenham Village College
Sunday 17th October: farm visits in Cambridgeshire

Booking form can be downloaded here…

Farming is of fundamental importance to us all for food production. In the UK, 75% of land is farmed, so farming practices have major impacts on birds and other wildlife. Our conference will provide an opportunity for birders and farmers to meet and hear about the present situation of farmland birds and their conservation.

Saturday 16th October

SESSION 1 HISTORY AND HABITATS

The changing face of lowland farmland and its associated birdlife Andy Evans (RSPB)

Farmland conservation – encouraging non-avian biodiversity John Holland (Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust)

SESSION 2 POPULATION AND SPECIES STUDIES

Atlases and farmland birds – past, present and future Simon Gillings (BTO)

The RSPB Corn Bunting Project Rosemary Setchell (RSPB)

Winter food and farmland birds: causes of decline and means of recovery
Gavin Siriwardena (BTO)

SESSION 3 CONSERVATION

The conservation of farmland birds in Eastern England Simon Tonkin (RSPB)

Action for Barn Owls and Kestrels on farmland Peter Wilkinson (Barn Owl Conservation Network)

How FWAG helps farmers Elizabeth Ranelagh (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group)

From voluntary surveys to working for the Countryside Restoration Trust. A birding journey through farmland Vince Lea (Countryside Restoration Trust)


On Sunday 17th October there will be an opportunity to visit to farms in the county to learn about how the land is managed for both agriculture and to enhance its value for wildlife. The farms have been chosen to reflect the varied nature of farming in the county. Information on the sites can be found on their websites:
Countryside Restoration Trust Farm, Barton – www.livingcountryside.org.uk/larkrise.htm
RSPB Hope Farm, Knapwell – www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/hopefarm
Park Farm, Thorney – www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/farming/spotlight/michaelsly.asp
Shropshire Group, Hainey Farm, Soham – http://www.gs-growers.co.uk/ukgrowers/detail.asp?ItemID=14

Tickets must be booked in advance: £17.50 per person (includes coffee, lunch and tea)

Booking form can be downloaded here…

For enquiries contact Vicki Harley

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