Using these environmental mixes as cover is becoming a more popular and common option. These mixes are designed to attract wildlife and birds, with the species used offering cover and a feed value.

AB9 - Winter bird food

Why?

• It provides important food resources for farmland birds, especially in autumn and winter

• Producing an abundant and available supply of small seeds during the autumn and winter months

Key points:

• Establish by sowing a seed mix which contains at least 6 seed bearing crops between 15 February and 15 June.

• Seed mixes may contain a maximum of 3 of the following cereal crops - barley, oats, rye, triticale and wheat.

• No individual crop group must exceed 90% of the total mix by weight

• Annual mixtures should include species like barley, triticale, quinoa, linseed, millet, mustard, fodder radish and sunflower.

• Include kale in 2-year mixtures.

• The mixture should cover a range of crop groups to minimize any pest and disease risks.

• Re-establish one-year mixes annually and two year mixes every other year, to maintain seed production

https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/winter-bird-food-ab9

Compatible mixes:

One-year mixes

• Jack Russell

• Tree Sparrow

• Finch & Bunting

• Linnet

Two-year mixes

• Sunset

• Labrador

• Top Brass

• Grey Partridge

• 2yr WBF (WM1)

These following countryside stewardship options are other key mixes to attract wildlife and pollinators.

AB16 -Autumn sown bumble bird mix

Why?

It provides important food resources for farmland birds and a range of nectar feeding insects, including butterflies and bumblebees, on arable and mixed farms.

Key points:

• Establish as soon as possible after harvest and before 15 September, in year 1 and year 3 of your agreement by sowing a seed mix containing a minimum of six flower species and six seed-bearing crops.

• Retain until 15 August in the second summer after sowing.

• This option works well on most soil types and, as with conventional crops, there will be more seeds and flowers produced where it is located on better ground. Ideally, pick sheltered sites that face south or west for maximum benefits to pollinators.

• It also works on heavier soils where spring-sowing of winter bird food plots is difficult.

https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/autumn-sown-bumblebird-mix-ab16

Compatible Mix:

Bumble bird mix

AB8: Flower-rich margins and plots

Why?

Flower-rich grass margins or plots provide important habitat and foraging sites for invertebrates (including wild pollinators) and birds.

Key Points:

• Establish flower-rich margins and plots by sowing a seed mix between 1 March and 15 October

• The seed mix should contain both grasses and perennial flowering plants, such as:

  • slender red fescue

  • sorrel

  • sheep’s fescue

  • bird’s-foot trefoil

  • smooth-stalked meadow grass

  • ribwort plantain

  • smaller cat’s-tail

  • yellow rattle

  • crested dog’s-tail

  • self-heal

  • common bent

  • yarrow

  • sweet vernal grass

  • wild carrot

  • black knapweed

  • lady’s bedstraw

  • meadow buttercup

  • ox-eye daisy

https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/flower-rich-margins-and-plots-ab8

Compatible mixes

BSM4

AB1: Nectar flower mix

Why?

It provides areas of flowering plants to boost essential food sources for beneficial pollinators.

Key Points:

• You must establish in blocks or strips between 1 March and 15 September

• Sow a grass-free seed mix which contains a minimum of 6 flower species

• The seed mix you use should contain both short-term nectar rich and perennial wildflower plants, such as:

  • early and late flowering red clovers

  • alsike clover

  • sainfoin

  • birdsfoot trefoil

  • black knapweed

  • musk mallow

https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/nectar-flower-mix-ab1

Compatible mixes

EF4 or Bee mix – must add WF1 to include the longer-term perennial Black Knapweed and increase flower diversity.

Game cover options

Maize

A useful option for cover, providing a reliable crop each year. We have four options when it comes to Game cover maize: our ever popular, tried and tested Trigger Blend, a single compact variety, an early and a late option. The Blend contains a mix of early, intermediate and late varieties, offering cover and feed throughout the season.  Using late maize has its advantages as cover in areas prone to Badgers and rats with the cobs not usually going past the watery ripe stage.

Sorghum

Sorghum is another alternative for cover, with three different height choices. We have Dwarf, Intermediate and Giant varieties available, which can be used in different situations. DP2 intermediate sorghum has similar growth to maize, a useful option where Badgers are a problem as there is no cob. Dwarf sorghum offers warmth to a maize crop and creates good flushing points. Giant sorghum creates a good windbreak if used around a crop of maize.

Long Term Perennials

These crops are long term options (three years or more) that are ideal for situations where annual planting is more difficult. Species such as Canary grass, reed canary grass and chicory are the most popular and used choices. Requiring a nurse crop in the first year, to give the crop substance, they require minimal cultural maintenance thereafter. Nurse crops will typically be kale, sorghum or triticale.  

Brassicas

Brassica species such as kale or forage rape are great for cover and loved by pheasants. Carbon is one of our more popular varieties, which is quick to establish giving good cover in a short space of time.

Other Species

Species such as Sunflowers, Quinoa and Millet are all useful crops in Game cover situations. They are all seeding plants, which offer good feed value to the birds.