The G’s mushroom farm at May Farm, Littleport has a total area of 27 hectares, 15 of which are regenerated fenland habitat, crossed by waterways and surrounded by a watercourse (the Swale). The farm has an industry leading approach to conservation and is the only mushroom grower globally to have Fair to Nature status.
The mushroom facility has been fully operational since 2015, since when a series of ongoing projects have been implemented creating new and unique habitats. These include the development of three large wetland areas and the planting of over 42,000 British native trees and shrubs including the creation of a native British tree and shrub arboretum – unique within the UK. The arboretum has been planted with 3,345 saplings, comprising 67 species.
Special wildflower margins have been created, these buzz with bees and hoverflies and attract species of butterflies, damselflies and dragonflies; other margins are sown with wild bird, pollen and nectar mixes to provide additional feeding areas for birds and insects.
A large pond in front of the farm attracts numerous species including Kingfishers, Little Grebes and dragonflies and the new marshlands provide valuable shallows for ducks such as Teal, and wader species like Lapwing, Snipe, Oystercatcher, Green Sandpiper and Redshank. Furthermore, a new scrape has been created with a bespoke nesting bank for Sand Martins and Kingfishers.
A Grey Partridge release programme has been implemented and these Red List birds now breed on the farm.
In addition, three thickets with specialist feeding strips have been planted, to support the multi-agency project “Operation Turtle Dove”, to provide nesting and foraging areas for this threatened species. This also provides a link to our farm in Senegal, where Turtle Doves overwinter. G’s are committed to provide secure winter and summer habitats across the two countries to try to help reverse the 97% decline in this species population.
These new habitats have seen an explosion in the biodiversity across the farm. To date, the site has attracted 146 species of birds (including 27 Red List and 47 Amber list species). There is evidence of 56 species breeding on the farm including Oystercatchers, Kingfishers, Grey Partridges, Skylarks, Reed Warblers, Swallows and Yellowhammers.
The wild areas have proved to be attractive to insects with 26 species of butterflies and 184 species of moths logged so far.
Damselflies and dragonflies are abundant with 21 species of dragonflies/damselflies identified, including Banded Demoiselle, Emperor, Southern, Migrant and Brown Hawkers, and rarer species such as Small Red-eyed Damselfly and Willow Emerald.
The aquatic insect life along with a thriving population of Water Voles (nationally endangered) gives testament to the quality of the watercourses surrounding the farm. 24 other species of mammal have been seen on the farm.
The habitat creation and management work has been carried out by Steve Mumford who has shown real vision, passion and dedication in creating a long lasting, generational transformation to the landscape. As a consequence, the farm is recognised by key industry bodies including the Fair to Nature accreditation (the only mushroom farm in the world), Red Tractor, RSPB, BTO, LEAF and Cambridgeshire Bird Club.
The commitment to biodiversity at May Farm has vastly improved the surrounding land and the wealth of wildlife it attracts, and the real excitement is looking to the future – the opportunity to make an impact on the Turtle Dove decline, the maturing of the native British tree arboretum and new habitats attracting an even wider range of species to the site for colleagues and future generations to enjoy.