Benefits To Biodiversity And The Countryside

Roy McMurray, Dromore, Co Down joined the Countryside Management Scheme (CMS) in 2001. There was a range of existing habitats on the farm, including breeding wader sites, swamp, woodland and species rich grassland.

As well as positively managing these habitats, Roy has established wild bird cover and rejuvenated hedgerows. He is very keen on the bird biodiversity on the farm and feels that bird numbers, especially reed buntings, meadow pipits and long-eared owls, have increased as a result of the work he has carried out under the CMS.

Roy has used funding under the scheme to restore a traditional building and build stone pillars on which traditional metal gates will be hung. The stone mason, James Chambers, also from Dromore, is very enthusiastic about maintaining these traditional features in the countryside. He remarks that people passing by often stop and enquire about the work going on. Overall, Roy McMurray is enthusiastic about his participation in CMS. He commented, “My Countryside Management Adviser helped me draw up a management plan. This has evolved over the course of recent years to maintain and enhance the habitats and traditional features on my farm”.

If you would like more information on any aspect of agri-environment schemes, contact Countryside Management Branch staff at your local DARD office.