Local farmer wins prestigious award
Barn Owl conservation works reaps reward
Cotswold Water Park farmer wins prestigious conservation award
A Cotswold Water Park farmer has won the prestigious Gloucestershire Silver Pintail Award for conservation, awarded each year in the county by Gloucestershire Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG). Bob Spackman and his team at Manor Farm, Kempsford won the Award in 2009 for the excellent work they have undertaken for Barn Owl conservation on the farm.
Wildlife and conservation is very much at the heart of the farming enterprise at Manor Farm, Kempsford. Through the existing Countryside Stewardship Scheme new meadows have been created, ditch management for water voles has been introduced and artificial otter holts have been created. The local Barn Owl population has benefitted from the new meadows and arable margins, and following the installation of new nest boxes, two pairs of Barn Owls breed on the farm each year.
The coveted Award was judged by Kevin Rylands, RSPB farmland Conservation adviser, and Ian Boyd, last year’s winner of the Silver Pintail. The winner was announced at Gloucestershiore FWAGs Annual General Meeting in December 2009, held at Calmsden Manor.
Gareth Harris, Biodiversity Officer for the Cotswold Water Park Society, is delighted that Mr Spackman won this Award; "Bob, Simon and John, work hard for wildlife on the farm and surrounding area, involving members of the local community such as Brian Coram whose passion for conservation is an inspiration. The Barn Owls are a superb indicator of the great health of Bob's farmland demonstrating that if the management is right, the food chain is also healthy, with species such as Barn Owl being right at the top. Well done Bob!"
For more information about Gloucestershire FWAG please contact them on 014520627487 or email gloucester@fwag.org.uk.
