Farnless Farm and its ornithological importance
Farnless Farm was put on the ornithological map with the presence of a pair of Bee-eaters during the summer of 2002 going onto breed in a disused quarry, the first successful breeding in the UK for 50 years. The farm was certainly under watched but with a 24 hour watch species discovered within the quarry and farmland proved very exciting
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Durham Bird Club has surveyed the wetland called Stoney Beck Lake for a number of years and with the farmer (Stuart and Daphnie Anderson) going under the Countryside Stewardship the area was to be put under a research project by DEFRA under the scheme. Up until the end of 2007 the site has become the most important site in county Durham for the serious declining Corn Bunting the Bishop Middleham area is the last stronghold for the species with farnless holding up to15 territorial males representing 20% of the counties population.
As well as the Corn Bunting the site holds some very important populations of farmland birds including 10 pairs of the nationally declining Yellow Wagtail, 40 pairs of Skylark, 6 pairs of Yellowhammer, 8 pairs of Grey Partridge, 6 pairs of Tree Sparrow, 2 pairs of Little Owl single pairs of Kestrel, Tawny Owl and up to 10 pairs of Linnet and Whitethroat.
The wetland is a very important site with a wide range of wildfowl and waders 12 pairs of Lapwing regularly breed with 2 pairs of Redshank, Snipe, Curlew and Oystercatcher with a regular pair of Little Ringed Plover. Mallard, Little Grebe, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, and Shelduck all breed. Rare birds of prey and owls are seen most years with Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Common Buzzard, Hobby, and Short Eared Owl with some staying to breed.
During the autumn and winter month’s large numbers of wildfowl and waders visit the area with Golden Plover, Graylag and Canada geese, Stock Dove, Grey Heron and Pied Wagtail. Rarities can be noted with species such as Temminks Stint, Little Egret, Lesser Scaup, Turtle Dove and Black Necked Grebe.
The farm is a wonderful place for birds and with the enthusiasm of the owners new habitats have been created and managed to allow birds to thrive.
John Olley Conservation Officer
Durham Bird Club
bird in the bunting family Emberizidae, a group now separated by most modern authors from the finches, Fringillidae. It is the sole member of the genus Miliaria, although a few authorities place it in the large genus Emberiza.
The Tree Sparrow Passer montanus is 12.5–14 cm long. The adult's crown and nape are rich chestnut, and on the white cheeks and ear-coverts there is a triangular black patch; the chin and throat are black. Two distinct though narrow white bars cross the brown wings. In summer the bill is lead-blue, and in winter almost black. The legs are pale brown and the irides hazel. The sexes are practically alike.
Countryside