On Wednesday, 3rd September, CAFRE and Teagasc are hosting a joint Upland Open Day at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise’s (CAFRE’s) Hill Farm Centre, Glenwherry, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.
The 960ha hill farm is home to a wide range of bird and mammal species and is located within the Special Protection Area for Hen Harrier and Merlin. Since the establishment of the Glenwherry Hill Regeneration Partnership (GHRP) in 2009, there has been a strong focus on improving the habitats to encourage a high population of bird and mammal species to either nest, rest or forage on the site.
Nicola Warden, Senior Biodiversity Technologist, CAFRE explained: “Across the CAFRE Hill Farm there are a range of ground nesting bird species that nest on the site. These species include Red Grouse, Curlew, Lapwing and Snipe. One aim of the hill farm is to create and maintain habitats suitable for these birds to nest in.”
Warden continued: “Research shows that the ground nesting birds mentioned above won’t nest within 200-700 metres of a conifer plantation for fear of predation. Since the establishment of GHRP, the group has proposed the removal of a 68ha conifer plantation at Glenwherry to allow a further 300ha of suitable habitat to become available to ground nesting birds.
“During the tours of the hill farm, you will hear about the Forest to Bog restoration techniques and see how the site has revegetated since the trees were removed in winter 2019.”
Peatland restoration techniques
On a 12ha site at the CAFRE Hill Farm, peatland restoration techniques have been demonstrated on a bog which had open drains every 50 to 60 metres.
“To bring the habitat back to peat accumulating condition, the underlying peatland hydrology has to be addressed,” Warden added.
“Through implementing peatland restoration techniques, CAFRE has been able to bring the water table that is beneath the surface to within the range which overtime will accumulate further peat.
“During the Hill Farm Open Day, you will hear more about the work that has been undertaken with the aim of fixing the hydrology to benefit the habitat but also to reduce the carbon emissions coming from the degraded bog.”
Breeding waders at the CAFRE hill farm
The CAFRE Hill Farm has a 72ha area dedicated to Breeding Wader birds such as Curlew, Lapwing and Snipe which is managed with advice from RSPB.
“Pre-nesting management is crucial to ensuring the site is in the right condition to encourage the birds to nest,” she added.
“Working closely with RSPB advisors, CAFRE has been managing the site by outwintering a quarter of the suckler cow herd. During the past four winters, small batches of the cows have been grazed across the site using virtual fencing technology. The cows have been able to get the habitat into the correct condition without having to use mechanical flails.”
The interventions above have been implemented at the CAFRE Hill Farm, whilst maintaining the productivity of the livestock enterprises at Glenwherry.
Nicola Warden concluded: “Join us on Wednesday, 3rd September to hear more about the ongoing work at the farm and how the cattle and sheep enterprises are a major part of habitat management.”
Visit here to book your place on a tour of the CAFRE Hill Farm as part of the open day.