Environment and Conservation

Boston Park Farm is adjacent to Hatfield Moor, one of the most important lowland raised bogs in the UK. The area around the moor was drained in the mid 17th century by dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden and the farm is characterised by flat fields separated by drainage dykes.

The farm is entered into the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, which supports sensitive management of the land for the benefit of wild plants, animals and birds. Implementing the scheme involves establishing new hedgerows, wide uncultivated margins in each field and raising the local water table during the summer by placing boards to temporarily dam drainage ditches. The effect of the wide margins and damming the ditches is shown in the photo and has significant benefits for wildfowl and aquatic plants.

Amongst the many species found on the farm there are a number which are either protected or are becoming increasingly rare. Several have action plans under the UK's Biodiversity Action Plan. These include the grey partridge, the hare and the skylark.

The grey partridge is a bird which has suffered a significant decrease in its population over the last few decades. It is characteristic of arable fields and at Boston Park we still have a relatively healthy local population. The farm now undertakes an annual count of grey partridge numbers as part of a national scheme run by the Game Conservancy Trust under the grey partridge species action plan. Find out more about this species at the RSPB website.

Photo courtesy of Green Globe Consultancy taken by Chris Knights

From winter 2003/2004 the farm will be open to a limited number of established birdwatching groups to spend a day enjoying the winter birds on the farm. In addition to the grey partridge, other species of interest at this time of year typically include lapwing, snipe, yellowhammer and short eared owl, and during the summer the farm is an excellent place to watch and hear nightjars on the adjacent Moor. Contact the farm for details - the photo shows the variety of habitats that can feature in a day at Boston Park.

The farm is also playing an active role in the Voluntary Initiative. This scheme is an effort to reduce pesticide use and pollution through increased awareness. Farmers and spray operators are working together to understand and reduce the costs and environmental impact of pesticide pollution in water.

We are working hard to protect the wider environment at Boston Park whilst maintaining a working farm. We would be delighted to welcome school parties who want to find out more.