What is Scarborough Birders involvement?

In 2004, the RSPB asked Scarborough Birders to undertake Ornithological survey work on 10 farms in the area between the Cayton to Folkton road in the east, and the A64 in the west. This was carried out during April and May with the additional help of birders from Filey and the North Yorkshire Forest Bird Group. Six farms were re-surveyed in the winter of 2005-2006.

Four additional farms, along with the original 10, were surveyed in 2008, help coming from members of Scarborough Field Naturalists Society. Some botanical work was also undertaken.

Coverage of the area in the intervening years was much better, in view of the survey findings, by birders from far and wide, with almost daily cover, winter and summer, resulting in many good records.

Historical data in the form of old records, birds and eggs collected, in the care of Scarborough Museums, has been checked, and, combined with recent records, has produced a species list of over 200 birds for the Carrs area.

The Star Carr archeological site (within the survey area) is of International importance Archeologically, and in combination with the Ornithological opportunities, makes this area potentially important as a site for conservation, education and “green” tourism, and therefore a tremendous asset for Scarborough.

What area is covered by this project?

The project area lies just 3 km south of Scarborough at the eastern end of the Vale of Pickering on an area of farmland known as The Carrs. The core project area is east of the A64 trunk road where it crosses the vale between Staxton and Seamer. Centered around the River Hertford floodplain, a tributary of the River Derwent, the area has been intensively drained for agriculture over the last 200 years. The peaty soils, in places up to 3.5m deep formed in waterlogged ground where a Stone Age wetland landscape, coined 'Lake Flixton' used to be some 10,000 years ago. Today the open landscape of level fields divided by water-filled ditches offers great potential for environmentally sensitive farming.

Although the Carrs are less than 3km from the North Sea, all of the area's water drains west along the River Hertford, joining the Derwent and the Rye before heading past York and eventually reaching the North Sea via the Humber Estuary.

What is the background to this project?

Over the past 10 to 15 years, farmers here have faced increasing challenges with drainage, peat oxidation causing the land level to lower and increased rainfall, meaning the land has become wetter. Harvesting crops can be difficult and some arable fields have been set aside for several years. Other parts laid to grass pasture, grazed by sheep and cattle, are prone to winter wet. These problems could be made worse by climate change. What's more, topographic surveys have shown the peat to have shrunk by an average of half a metre across The Carrs since the 1970s. One only has to drive over the bridge on Carr Lane between Folkton and Cayton to feel the effects - built level with the road in 1976, its foundations driven into the solid ground beneath the peat, the bridge is now higher than the land either side, acting like a large speed bump.

In the Cayton and Flixton Carrs area a great opportunity exists to restore precious wetland habitats through Environmental Stewardship agreements with landowners. Administered by Natural England, the scheme has two tiers and the Cayton and Flixton Carrs area is specifically targeted for the sought-after Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreements. This can provide significant environmental benefits by paying farmers to create and manage habitats of high conservation or landscape value on their land. These schemes can be used to help reverse recent declines in farm wildlife, especially farmland and wetland bird species. The Project is helping interested farmers  to apply for these prestigious Higher Level Stewardship agreements. For an informal chat about HLS potential farmers may contact the Project Officer directly.

How did the project begin?

The project was started by Scarborough Borough Council on a small piece of land near Star Carr, the aim here was to create a small wetland area, including scrapes and wet grassland.

However, when local farmers heard of these plans they also became interested in getting involved in the project. This led to a widening out of the project into surrounding farmland and a number of other organisations became involved including Natural England, The Environment Agency, The RSPB and North Yorkshire County Council. Along with Scarborough Borough Council these organisations form the project partnership, working with local farmers and other stakeholders.