Farmers of the South Dorset Ridgeway

Corn Bunting sitting at the top of a tree singing. A corn bunting (Emberiza calandra) is a stocky, brownish-gray bird with streaked plumage, often blending into its grassy or agricultural surroundings. It has a thick, conical bill and a slightly larger head relative to its body. The bird’s song is a distinctive, jangling "metallic rattle" sound, often delivered from a perch like a fence post or wire. Corn buntings are commonly seen in open farmland, particularly in fields of grain, where they feed on seeds and insects.

A Big Chalk Project

Farmers of the South Dorset Ridgeway

Lead Organisation

Dorset Wildlife Trust

Partner Organisations

  • 17 farmers/landowners
  • Natural England
  • National Trust

Project Description

A group of landowners and farmers working to maintain, restore, and create priority habitats including lowland calcareous grassland, ancient and native woodland and arable field margins.

The group will manage four priority species including Barn Owl, Corn Bunting and Chalkhill Blue. Opportunities to slow the flow and reduce sediment losses are a priority in the River Bride and Fleet Lagoon catchment.

We will work with the County Archaeologist to enable understanding of the unique history of the area and ensure management protects scheduled monuments.

Woodland and hedgerow planting and management will be encouraged to deliver cross cutting benefits of biodiversity, water quality, carbon sequestration and reducing flood risk.

A strategic landscape nature recovery map will be produced, with landowners linking up habitats. A baseline of species and habitats has been produced.

Project Location

The project area covers 3,000 ha of Dorset with a further 250 in process of joining.

Contribution to Big Chalk

Our project vision fits with all the Big Chalk vision – just on a smaller scale!

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Have a project that could strengthen the future of southern England’s iconic chalk and limestone landscapes?

The Big Chalk programme brings together a dynamic suite of partner-led projects, each unique in its focus, area, and partnerships but sharing a commitment to our collective vision.

If your project contributes to the Big Chalk mission, we invite you to register it as a Big Chalk Project. Registered projects gain access to networking, shared learning, and best practice—alongside the Big Chalk brand, boosting your profile and connecting you to a powerful, growing network of partners.

Together, these projects form a united effort to secure the future of southern England’s chalk and limestone landscapes, making a lasting impact for nature and communities.

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By Dorset Wildlife Trust
02 September 2024

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