Tuely Farm - Soft Fruit farming - Strawberries

Wildlife at Tuesley Farm Golden Plover - Scientific name: Pluvialis apricaria

  

Golden Plovers in flightThe Golden Plover breeds on upland moors and bogs, mainly in Scotland. It does not breed in SE England but large and more widespread populations are present in winter, when they are found on arable fields, grasslands, coastal flats and saltings.

Wildlife at Tuesley Farm

HHP is keen to promote the development of wildlife and birds alongside our farming and we have been working closely with the Farm Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and the Surrey Bird Club to achieve this at Tuesley Farm.

We have started a conservation scheme designed by FWAG and anticipate a significant increase in bird life on the estate.

Since 2000, Tuesley Farm has supported a large flock of wintering golden plover: as many as 5,000 birds have been recorded using the farm. This is the largest golden plover flock anywhere in Surrey and, possibly, within Hampshire and Sussex.

Spring grown cereals, known to be favoured by skylarks, were sown and winter cereals provided ideal vegetation for the plovers. In other areas, over-winter stubbles and uncut areas were introduced, providing important food resources for seed-eating birds. We also trim our hedges less frequently to aid nesting.

Tuesley Farm will be monitored over the coming years to assess how the birds are responding to these practices.