Pentire headland, overlooking Polzeath and cared for by the National Trust, has been bringing much joy to both visitors and farmland birds in the later summer.
Six fields at Pentire have been sown with wild bird seed crops. It is not harvested so this will provide a valuable food source for farmland birds, especially during the autumn and winter – the ‘hungry gap’. The flowering plants are also of benefit to pollinators such as bumblebees, solitary bees, butterflies and hoverflies.
The field margins are cultivated but not sown – this is where dozens of species of arable plants germinate and grow naturally creating another useful habitat for wildlife.
To extend the food supply for as long as possible, a mix of eight seed-bearing species have been
sown: barley, triticale, red millet, white millet, quinoa, sunflower, phacelia and fodder radish. Birds, such as linnet, skylark, house sparrow and goldfinch will feed on the mature seed on the plants and spilt grains on the ground. The team at Pentire are hoping that the introduction of these crops will encourage other bird species such yellowhammer and corn bunting into the area too.
For more information, events and updates, visit pentire@nationaltrust.org.uk
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