frequently asked questions

Habitat Heroes is a project that The Co-operative Farms have set up on seven of our own farms across the UK to support endangered and protected species with the aim of preserving some of the UK’s most iconic species. The project aims to identify where The Co-operative Farms can make investments and adaptations on the farm to improve the habitats, feeding and breeding opportunities for vulnerable species such as water voles, otters and red squirrels, helping to safeguard them for the future.

As part of The Co-operative Group we are committed to farming in a sustainable and responsible way. We set ourselves very high standards in our care of the environment and of wildlife, as well as in having good relationships with the communities in which we farm. With over 100 years experience in the industry, we have the knowledge and expertise to farm in a way which is sustainable and sensitive to the environment.

We farm over 50,000 acres across the UK, making us one of Britain’s largest farmers. That’s a lot of countryside – which means we’re responsible for the wellbeing of a lot of our nation’s wildlife! Just by working the land, we knew we had species of concern in Britain living on or close to our farms. So, in October 2010, we set up a programme to help them survive and thrive.

We knew we had special wildlife living or passing through our farms, so we worked closely with local conservation groups to establish which species were protected or endangered and how we could help them. Habitat Heroes focuses on just one key species at each farm; however, it is important that we also look after the other wildlife present – for example, we have installed wild bird feeders on each of our farms to ensure they have a food supply during the difficult winter months. We’re also helping the pollinator population by continually restoring natural habitats like hedges and rough grassland, as well as planting wildflower mixes on the strips of land between our fields to help increase their numbers. We have over 1,300 beehives on our farms, producing honey for our food stores and helping to support the declining bee population, and our members own 200 of these beehives.

Water Voles – Goole, East Yorkshire - By surveying the ditches and drains on the farm we are able to pinpoint where the voles are and change the way we manage our ditches to protect their habitat. Water vole activity has been captured through our motion-sensing cameras. Last year, with the help of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, we discovered 4 new water vole populations! This is excellent news and suggests that they can make a good comeback on the farm with appropriate management. A total of 45 volunteer days were spent on the 2011 surveys, and we now have an up-to-date record of water voles across the entire farm. To find out more about this farm please click here

Red Squirrel – Blairgowrie, Perthshire - We are working with Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) to carry out important monitoring work in our surrounding woodlands to help measure the local red squirrel population. We have introduced feeders designed for red squirrels on our farm so that we are supplementing the diet of the red squirrels when their natural food source is scarce. Based on these results Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels will advise our farm managers on how they can make habitat improvements for red squirrels. To find out more about this farm please click here

Barn Owls – Down Ampney, Gloucestershire - Manors have been built on the estate to try and encourage the existing barn owl population to increase. Standard Barn Owl boxes have also been installed, to encourage other bird species, including the Little Owl. The key aim of this project is to establish a baseline of Barn Owl abundance and breeding success on the farm and monitor changes in relation to habitat management. Subsequent reports will update survey results, allowing comparison of changes between years, and provide more detailed information on breeding success, which will be compared to national estimates generated from nests monitored at other locations in the same year. The British Trust for Ornithology is assisting us with all of our survey work. To find out more about this farm please click here

Bats – Tillington, Hereford - By planting bat-friendly windbreakers in our orchards and installing 50 bat boxes we’re creating habitats and roosting sites. With the help of Swiftecology we survey the area, too, to check which species we have. The key aim is to enhance the farmland for bat species. The methodology for the survey work will be in accordance with the guidelines produced by Natural England and the Bat Conservation Trust. Interpretation and evaluation of the results will be presented and the relationship this has to previous data records. We will then address any recommendations for habitat enhancement. To find out more about this farm please click here

Otters – Coldham, Cambridgeshire - Working with a local environment officer we’ve built an artificial holt with an otter-cam into the riverbank of the Old River Nene to provide a resting site for otters on the farm. The otter-cam has already filmed otters there – a great sign as it suggests they may set up a permanent home. The aim of the project is to create favourable conditions on the farm for otters to thrive and to provide opportunities for them to breed and support their young. To find out more about this farm please click here

Pollinators – Stoughton, Leicester - We’ve restored natural habitats such as hedges and rough grassland and we are planting wildflower mixes across approximately 100 – 200 acres of strips of land between the fields to encourage pollinators. Working with Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust we’ll be monitoring sightings of rare and endangered breeds of butterflies, hoverflies and moths. To find out more about this farm please click here

Farmland Birds – Highland Court, Kent - Farmland Bird numbers have declined dramatically in the last twenty years. Working with Kent Wildlife Trust we aim to increase the numbers of six farmland bird species through helping the farm to implement a range of management options such as floristically enhanced grass margins and hedgerow management to benefit specific species and increase overall farm biodiversity. The species chosen are all Red Status Birds of Conservation Concern. To find out more about this farm please click here

How you can help – at home

From recycled bird feeders to creating a bat friendly garden we’ve got lots of ideas on how you can help our special wildlife at home. Click here for more ideas.

How you can help – down on the farm

There are plenty of ways in which you can be a habitat hero at home, but if you want to take the next step in helping secure the future of endangered or protected species then pull on your wellies and head to one of our farms. Our volunteering opportunities for events and surveys will provide you with all the training you need to become a fully fledged Habitat Hero! Click here to get involved.