CAHL2

Establish and maintain a winter bird food mix in blocks or strips using a seed mix of at least 6 small seed-bearing crops, avoiding certain prohibited species. Re-establish 1-year mixes annually and 2-year mixes every other year. The area must not be used for vehicular access, turning, or storage.

Establish the mix by the end of June to flower in the first summer and maintain it until late winter (around the end of February). If establishment is delayed past the start date, it must be done within 12 months. If established after June, it must be maintained for two consecutive winters.

The method is flexible, as long as all mandatory requirements are met and the action is performed in a way that can be reasonably expected to achieve its aim.

You must keep evidence to show what you’ve done to complete this action, such as:

• field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices, including details of the seed mix used
• photographs or other documentation

If it’s not clear that you’ve done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, we may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if we ask for it.

Advice includes selecting a suitable seed mix with cereals and brassicas, sowing in sunny, weed-free locations near bird habitats, and using shallow-drilling or broadcasting techniques between March and June. Management advice covers re-sowing, potential fertiliser application, and pest and weed control to ensure good seed production.