Conservation & environmental work at Carswell Farm

Here at Carswell Farm, we are passionate about conservation and protecting the environment.

There is an exceptional variety of wildlife and plants on and around Carswell Farm, from hares and badgers to bats and barn owls. There are also some extremely rare species on the farm – Carswell is one of the few places in the country where you could spot a Cirl Bunting while a pair of faithful Peregrine Falcons nest on the cliff here every year.

Below are a few of the ways in which we ensure that we look after our native flora, fauna, birdlife and animals:

• We work closely with the RSPB to ensure that local birdlife is protected. For example, skylarks are fairly common and we have several nesting pairs who will fledge several broods per year. We do not cut or graze large areas of wild flower, low intensity grassland until late July or early August so that seeds can drop and ground nesting birds can thrive.
• We reserve 40 acres of land for the solepurpose of maintaining habitat for wildlife.
• We have planted many thousands of trees over the last 30 years to create habitats and corridors for wildlife, from the clifftop to further inland.
• We have established baseline surveys for flora and fauna.
• We farm organically, a more environmentally friendly method without using artificial nitrogen or pesticides.
• We have a Higher Level Stewardship scheme and have been commended for our work.