Biodiversity project brings colour to Easter Ross cornfields

The Cornfields Annuals Project is a two year scheme, which is currently being developed by Highland Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) supported by the Ross and the Cromarty East Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) group.

Volunteer farmers and landowners at nine different sites have planted up a mix of cornfield annuals and oats across Easter Ross with stunning results. The aim of the project is to help raise awareness of both nationally and locally rare and threatened arable weeds not only among the farming community but also the wider public.

The sites, the majority of which are on set-aside land are now a blaze of colour created by a mosaic of poppies, cornflower, corn marigold, black meddick, vetch, wild pansy and oats. As well as creating a splash of colour among the golds of ripening crops the flowering plants prove popular with many insects and the seeds produced provide food for birds during the winter months.

Martin Hind, Highland Council’s Easter Ross Countryside Ranger plans to take groups of school children out to some of the sites to raise awareness of the flowering plants and to promote a positive attitude towards biodiversity.

In recent years the red and blue haze of poppies and cornflowers across arable fields have become a less common sight as farmers have intensified agricultural practices to meet with demand for a clean, monoculture production system. The revolution in arable farming has seen these plant communities threatened in a variety of ways: efficient seed cleaning; application of herbicides; increased nitrogen applications and highly nitrogen-responsive crops; mechanisation of farming; changes in crop rotation and more efficient field drainage have all lead to a serious decline over the last 60 years.

With eight out of ten of the fastest declining British plants thought to be arable weeds the Cornfield Annuals Project is a positive step ensuring their place in the Easter Ross countryside is secured for future generations to enjoy.

Some of sites are easily visible for motorists using the roads from Killen to Culbokie; Maryburgh to Contin; Marybank to Strathconon; Conon to Tore; and the Culbo road.

For more details of the project or where to see this stunning mix of blues, yellows and reds being re-introduced back into the countryside contact Highland FWAG on tel: 01463 811 072

The Easter Ross Cornfield Annuals Project is part of the Highland Biodiversity Action Plan Implementation Programme, financed by the European Union under the North and West Highland Leader+ 2000-2006 Programmes, Scottish Natural Heritage and The Highland Council.

For further information please contact: Fran Lockhart (Farm Conservation Adviser), Highland FWAG, Highland Rural Business Centre, Glaikmore, North Kessock, Inverness IV8 8PH Tel/Fax: 01463 811 072 Mob: 0771 3333 201