Farmers and meadow birds
You must have noticed while cycling that there are an awful lot of farms in Waterland. The meadows in Waterland-East are almost all managed by farmers.
These farmers are therefore important for maintaining the meadow bird population. Many management measures that are good for these species require an extra effort from farmers. They receive compensation for their extra work through Agricultural Nature Management. Farmers mow later in the year, for instance, so that the meadow birds' eggs have time to hatch. They can also spread the rough manure from their stables on their land to promote calm and herb-rich grass growth. Manure also provides insect-rich soil life, which the meadow birds feast on. Foxes and other predators are also a major threat to meadow birds as they like to eat the eggs and nestlings. The construction of fox grids should keep the fox away from the field where the meadow birds breed.
Many farmers o...
These farmers are therefore important for maintaining the meadow bird population. Many management measures that are good for these species require an extra effort from farmers. They receive compensation for their extra work through Agricultural Nature Management. Farmers mow later in the year, for instance, so that the meadow birds' eggs have time to hatch. They can also spread the rough manure from their stables on their land to promote calm and herb-rich grass growth. Manure also provides insect-rich soil life, which the meadow birds feast on. Foxes and other predators are also a major threat to meadow birds as they like to eat the eggs and nestlings. The construction of fox grids should keep the fox away from the field where the meadow birds breed.
Many farmers sacrifice a plot on their land to create a puddle-drace. From this point, you have a beautiful view of such a puddle-drench. As you can see, a piece of land has been flooded and around it grows beautiful herb-rich, diverse grass. Here the meadow birds can more easily access the food in the soil and these puddle-drats serve as foraging areas. Can you see the meadow birds foraging for food?
Meadow bird farms
Since 2020, two dedicated meadow bird farms have been established in Waterland-East. These are farms that have been actively working for meadow birds for many years. These two farms are given 15-year management contracts, giving them the chance to make a difference in the long term as well.
One of these farms is the farm of Cees Hardebol from Broek in Waterland. Cees has a farm in the Belmermeer with boarding stables for horses (Stal Baco). He also has sheep, beef cattle and rents out whisper boats.
Since childhood, Cees has had a great affinity for meadow birds. His father was already actively involved and Cees was kindled by him. He makes sure his plots, some 20 hectares, near the farm are all set up for meadow birds. He is installing a fox grid, has raised his water level, is spreading rough manure, has sown herb-rich grassland and has set up a number of ditch puddle terraces. Also, some plots have a rest period with delayed mowing in the breeding season while on other plots extensive grazing is practised. All these measures create the mosaic management that is so important for meadow birds.
And it shows because they love coming here. Regular visitors include black-tailed godwit, lapwing, redshank, oystercatcher, wagtail, yellow wagtail, snipe and skylark. Have you seen them around the puddle-wash or above the field?