WBD3

Establish and maintain an in-field grass strip with an intact sward, cutting the entire strip in late summer after the bird breeding season. You must not apply fertilisers, manures, or most pesticides, and must prevent livestock access.

The grass strip must be established within 12 months of the action's start date and then maintained for the duration of the agreement.

The method is flexible, provided the mandatory requirements are followed and the action's aim is achievable.

You must keep written evidence that land entered into this action is at risk of soil erosion or surface runoff. You can use the soil management plan produced for CSAM1 or SAM1 to identify this.

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

• field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices
• photographs and 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 suggests establishing the strip by sowing or natural regeneration, locating it on drainage pathways or slopes. For maintenance, check for nesting birds before cutting in late summer and remove cuttings if possible.