Nature-Friendly Farming Pays Off as Ughill Farm Thrives Through Driest Spring in Years

At a time when much of the countryside is feeling the impact of the driest spring in decades, Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust’s bold approach to nature friendly, climate-resilient farming at Ughill Farm is already showing tangible results – not just for the land, but for the wildlife which calls it home.

Central to this success is the farm’s innovative re-wetting project at Wet Shaw Dike, where the capacity of old field drains has been intentionally reduced to slow water flow and retain moisture in the soil. The timing could not have been better; as rivers and fields elsewhere dried out, Wet Shaw continues to hold water, offering a critical refuge for a range of bird species.

“This re-wetting work has proven vital during what has been one of the driest springs in recent memory,” said Tom Dunne, the Trust’s Ughill Farm Manager. “Where other areas have dried to a crust, Wet Shaw Dike has stayed damp and full of life. We’ve seen curlew, snipe, and lapwing flocking in – drinking, feeding and even nesting.”

The soft, muddy ground created by the retained moisture has become an essential foraging ground, rich in invertebrates. These conditions are especially valuable for the wading birds, all of which are on the UK’s list of Species of Conservation Concern.

In addition to the hydrological improvements, habitat management has included the removal of an old fence, reducing nearby perching opportunities for predators such as carrion crows and buzzards. This has directly contributed to a surge in successful lapwing nesting.

“This spring, at least six lapwing nests haveeen found in just two fields – something we haven’t seen here in years,” said Wendy Birks, a volunteer with Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust. “It’s a real testament to how targeted land management can reverse the fortunes of vulnerable species.”

Some of these nests are also contributing valuable data to the British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO) Nest Record Scheme. Under licence, four nests have been monitored according to national guidelines – two of which have already successfully hatched four eggs each.

“Beyond the monitored nests, we’ve counted at least 15 chicks from an estimated seven nests so far,” Wendy added. “And with the chicks becoming more mobile and harder to spot, we’re confident there are even more out there.”

The success at Ughill Farm highlights the importance of adapting farming practices to prepare for a changing climate. By creating wet refuges, in dry years, farms like Ughill not only boost biodiversity but also build resilience into their landscapes.

Discover more about nature friendly farming at Ughill farm