Breeding Waders Project
Farming in Protected Landscapes Project at Dairy Barns, Lound Farm, Norfolk
Dairy Barns is not only a welcoming Bed and Breakfast but also part of a working family farm, covering 360 acres of land. Our farm features a mix of arable crops and grazing marshes, which historically served as the summer pasture for our dairy herd.
Today, these marshes are home to a beef herd during the summer months, along with our horses, and they host a wide variety of bird species. Visitors to the farm often spot Marsh Harriers, Pink-footed Geese, Buzzards, Barn Owls, Red Kites, and even the Common Crane. Smaller birds such as Lapwings, Bearded Tits, Dunnocks, and Larks are also frequently seen.
We invite our guests to bring binoculars and enjoy birdwatching during their stay. We also provide farmland birdwatching guides, which you’re welcome to borrow, to help identify the birds you see and hear.
In 2023, we applied for grant funding to enhance the marshland habitat for breeding waders as part of the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme. This initiative supports farmers and land managers in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The scheme aims to promote sustainable farming practices, support the natural environment, mitigate climate change impacts, and provide public access opportunities.
Our project’s goal is to create a suitable breeding habitat for wading birds on our marshes whilst still having the cattle grazing on the land. We’ve installed water control structures to maintain artificially high-water levels and created foot drains to help manage the land. The project was completed in Autumn 2024.
In Spring 2024, we collaborated with FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group), hosting Farmland Bird Identification workshops. These workshops aim to help us spot and identify different bird species on the farm. Over the coming years, we hope to see an increase in wader populations, which will indicate the success of the project.
In addition to spotting birds in the field, we’ve also used the Merlin Bird App, which listens to birdsong and identifies species. While it’s a helpful tool, we recommend verifying the sighting by spotting the bird in person, as the app is not always 100% accurate. This year, we were thrilled to spot Snipe on the marshes for the first time! For more information on wading birds, you can check out this list of species
