South Holland is an important province for meadow and arable birds such as black-tailed godwit, lapwing, redshank, and partridge. Meadow and arable birds together are called farmland birds. Farmland birds depend on agricultural landscapes for their food, breeding sites, and habitat. This year, the province has granted over 1 million euros in subsidies for this purpose.
This year, the province has granted over €1 million in subsidies. The subsidies were awarded to agricultural collectives and land-managing organizations. With this funding, they can improve the habitat of farmland birds on their land. Arno Bonte, Deputy for Nature: “The granted subsidies offer agricultural collectives and land-managing organizations the opportunity to develop various initiatives to further develop and improve the living environment for farmland birds. This is important to ensure that these special and vulnerable bird species continue to feel at home here in the future.”
Over €1 Million Subsidy Granted
Subsidies can be applied for actions and measures that support the action plan and improve the habitat of farmland birds. The subsidy is only given to agricultural collectives and land-managing organizations. This year, 15 subsidy applications were approved. In this way, the province invests over €1 million in the habitat of farmland birds. Subsidies have been granted for implementing various measures.
Raising the Water Level
One of the applicants is the Cooperative Agricultural Collective Midden-Delfland. In cooperation with landowners, farmers, and the Province of South Holland, they optimally manage meadow bird areas in Midden-Delfland. The agricultural function of the areas remains intact. The application includes measures such as raising the water level to make the area wetter. This is done by installing a mill that can pump water into the area. This is a more sustainable solution than, for example, solar pumps.
Planting Hedges for Arable Birds
Another application comes from the collective De Groene Klaver. They want to take measures for arable birds such as the partridge and also for finch species like the linnet. For these species, hedges are planted in the bulb region and in the reclaimed polders around Zoetermeer. Arable birds such as the linnet and the whitethroat use shrubs for breeding. Partridges use hedges to hide.
Farmland Birds Action Plan South Holland
This subsidy comes from the Farmland Birds Action Plan South Holland. South Holland is an important province for farmland birds. The situation for farmland birds is not good; their numbers decline every year. To preserve these bird species and their habitats, 8 South Holland parties, including the Province of South Holland, created the Farmland Birds Action Plan 2019 – 2027.
The action plan aims to increase the numbers of farmland bird species again.
