Windmill Farm...
Contact the Windmill Farm Warden HERE
Northern and central sections
of the farm, showing boundaries outlined in red
photo courtsey of 626
(Predannack) Volunteer
Gliding Squadron
This 83 hectare (205 acre)
reserve is on the western side of the Lizard peninsula, a mile or so
inland at SW694152. It comprises about 50 hectares of
grassland and over 20 hectares of heathland, with the remainder made
up of scrub, bog, swamp and hedgerow. It was purchased with the aid
of grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Lewis Frost
Memorial Fund and receives funding from the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) under the Countryside
Stewardship Scheme. There is an information centre on site.
Much of the practical management work on the reserve is carried out
by the Reserves Team of the joint-owners,
Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
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Four ponds have been dug in our
wetland creation project, designed to benefit birds, dragonflies and
aquatic plants. Another pond on the farm, Ruan Pool, has been
restored to its original size. Hides have been built to overlook two
of the pools. |
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The fields which were formerly
managed intensively for dairy farming are now maintained as a
mixture of rough grazing and organic hay meadows. We work in
partnership with local farmers. The nutrients in the soil are
gradually decreasing, leading to a greater diversity of flora and
invertebrates. |
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become overgrown due to a lack of management, leading to the loss of
some of the less dominant plants We have therefore introducing a
grazing regime which will in time allow a more varied flora to
become re-established. |
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An arable plot has been set
aside in one corner of the farm, comprising kale and quinoa, mixed
cereals, linseed and arable weeds. These are “sacrificial” crops,
grown purely for feeding birds in the autumn and winter and
attracting other wildlife. |
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The new habitats we’ve created
have swelled the populations of some of the bird species on the
reserve and added some new ones to the bird-list. A variety of warblers
breed in good numbers and include two or three pairs of Grasshopper
Warblers. We also have breeding Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, Cuckoos,
Skylarks and Reed Buntings, whilst Swallows nest in the disused farm
buildings. Barn Owls are occasionally seen. |
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Due to the reserve's proximity to
the coast, many migrants pass through in spring and autumn. These
include regular Merlin, Hobby, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin,
Wheatear, Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail and various warblers and finches.
In winter there are large flocks of Lapwings and Golden Plover
around, along with Hen Harriers, Snipe, Jack Snipe and a variety of
wildfowl. |
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The farm's bird-list now stands
at 166 species. Rarities include Great White Egret, Black Kite,
American Golden Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Citrine Wagtail,
Iberian Chiffchaff and "Balearic" Woodchat Shrike. New species
added in 2011 were Bewick’s Swan, Bee-eater, Tawny Owl, Spotted
Redshank, Little Gull, Greylag Goose and Brent Goose. |
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The farm is also a great place for so much
more than just birds. Resident butterflies include a colony of Marsh
Fritillaries; 17 species of dragonflies have been recorded,
including Lesser Emperor and annual Red-veined Darter; the rare
moths Small Grass Emerald, Square-spot Dart and L-album Wainscot are
all present; along with plants such as Sea Storksbill, Pale
Butterwort and masses of Cornish Heath, found only on the Lizard.
The ponds contain three species of stonewort, including the Red Data
Book Strawberry Stonewort, leading to us receiving a generous grant
from
Plantlife for pond creation. |
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Broad Bodied Chaser at the farm |
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To find the farm,
follow the A3083 Helston to Lizard road. 3 kms after the B3296
to Mullion Cove, look out for a sign for “Wild Camping” on the right-hand
side. Take the next right and follow the lane straight on until you arrive
at the farm-yard. Please drive slowly along the lane. There is general access, subject to a few exceptions,
details of which you’ll find on display. Please bear in mind that,
although the farm trails are partially board-walked, it can still be very
muddy so you should wear appropriate footwear (wellies are essential in
winter or after heavy rain!). There have been a number of incidents of gates being left
open. As we have grazing animals this can create big problems. Please leave gates as you find them.
 
 
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Above
photographs, all taken at Windmill Farm, by Andy Pay, except aerial view
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