SCR2

Manage a mosaic of scrub and open habitat by patchy cutting or light cattle grazing, maintaining 10% to 60% scrub cover. Leave deadwood and mature trees in place. A number of activities are prohibited, including grazing with sheep, ploughing, cultivating, and applying fertilisers, manures, lime or most pesticides.

This action must be done annually throughout the 3-year agreement.

You must follow the mandatory requirements to achieve the action's aim. Optional advice is available for guidance.

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

• stocking records to show grazing activity at a land parcel level
• field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices
• 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.

Choose locations where scrub can naturally grow, such as field corners or alongside woodland. Manage the habitat mosaic with light cattle grazing or rotational cutting in autumn/winter to avoid disturbing breeding birds. Consider deer management and capital grants for fencing. Check if a felling licence or EIA is required.