Ughill Update Summer 2026: New Habitats, More Wildlife

Ughill Farm in the Peak District is undergoing an exciting transformation. Strategic habitat work, targeted grazing, and dedicated species monitoring by Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust are delivering clear gains for local nature.

Transforming Our Fields Into Species-Rich Meadows

We grow good grass up on the Peak District, but not all grass is good wildlife grass and our farm is no different (yet).  We have five heavily agriculturally modified fields running along the bywayIn time we expect to see less grass and more flowers. Plans are in motion to turn two of these fields into species-rich meadows. Green hay harvested from our Carr House Meadows Reserve is being transported to Ughill and spread across the ground. This green hay ‘inoculates’ the fields with native seeds, and over time we expect to see less grass and more flowers.

Strategic Conservation Grazing

Effective grazing management remains central to our strategy. For the second consecutive year, we are hosting twenty Aberdeen Angus cows with calves from Richard Hague of Church Farm. Thanks to our new solar-powered drinking water infrastructure holding firm during drought conditions, the cattle graze extensively across the farm.

In addition, Highland Cattle will soon arrive on our two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). These hardy cows will thrive on the rough grazing on land we currently consider to be in a rather degraded condition.  It won’t be a quick job but with these hardy cattle, more solar powered drinking water supplies and some judicious flailing of soft rush – all planned in agreement with Natural England – this grazing strategy will restore the SSSIs to good condition, hopefully encouraging species such as the dunlin to return and breed.

Outstanding Success for Breeding Waders

Our habitat interventions are delivering immediate results for breeding waders. During our first breeding season at Ughill the dispersed nests of Lapwings suffered high levels of predation, with only one nest definitely getting chicks off the nest. After initial re-wetting that winter we had much better success and we know 15 chicks fledged. Last winter we daylighted a new stream and created three new ponds and scrapes in our wetland. The lapwings did really well and we know at least twenty chicks fledged and were counted taking flight alongside adult birds across the farm.

Monitoring the incredibly secretive curlews proved equally rewarding. Positive identification confirmed two active curlew nests, with at least two chicks fledging successfully. Spotting these young birds on the farm represents a key milestone and was a real treat for the whole team.

Research and Broader Wildlife Progress

We have not forgotten the other wildlife; our dedicated volunteers continue surveying and monitoring as many other species as they can across the entire farm! Recent highlights include breeding nightjars and fifteen recorded species of cranefly.

We are also collaborating with the University of Sheffield on an innovative research initiative. Researchers are tracking local bumblebees using Bluetooth technology to map pollinator foraging movement. Understanding these flight paths helps protect key ecosystems and safeguard regional food systems.

Habitat improvements, proven wildlife successes, and forward-thinking scientific research, That’s summer at Ughill Farm!