Winter survival for farmland birds

Winter cover crops do more than protect soil, they also provide valuable habitat and food for songbirds during the leanest months of the year. Crops like clover, rye, buckwheat, and brassicas hold seed heads and attract insects that overwinter in the vegetation, creating natural foraging opportunities when other food sources are scarce.

By leaving cover crop stands un-mowed through late winter, farmers can support sparrows, finches, buntings, and other farmland songbirds, helping maintain healthy wild bird populations while improving soil structure and nutrient cycling. Additionally, at Sansaw we help top up this natural food supply in winter by placing bird feeders in strategic locations, safe from predators and sheltered from harsh weather, to provide a little extra support when birds need it most

To read more visit the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.