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Tel: 01485 540620 email: editor@townandaround.net Hunstanton Town & Around September 2017 21

RSPB news

Carrie Carey
As a conservation charity, we’re keen to lead Our shop at Titchwell Marsh reserve sells a quadrupled. In other words, alongside
by example when it comes to making choices range of food products which reflect our growing wheat, oil and peas, we’ve created
that are good for the planet. This means passion for preserving and caring for the suitable habitats for wildlife to prosper. Hope
working with the natural environment and environment and should appeal to the most Farm produces, amongst other things, a full
reducing negative impact wherever possible. discerning ethical consumer. Our bird flavoured extra virgin oil made from rapeseed
We champion local and national suppliers friendly coffee is grown especially for us in which we also sell at Titchwell’s shop.
who share our values and concerns for the plantations in Nicaragua. These mountainous At Hope Farm around 5% of the land is
environment and elect to use sustainable and regions create a diverse forest-like habitat used for experimental trials which we believe
wildlife friendly products where we can. which provides a safe haven for a variety of will provide farmers with valuable research
wildlife, not just birds. Closer to home, we into alternative arable practices. The RSPB
also sell locally made honey. This is prepared has a history of delving into the new and
by local beekeepers which helps keep the food sometimes unfamiliar and it is a tradition that
miles down! Buying regional honey is not we are proud of.
only a great way to help our bees but you’ll Here in north Norfolk we recently
find it has a flavour that reflects Norfolk’s embarked on a campaign to raise money for a
wonderful flora. new wildlife watching hide at our Snettisham
One of the RSPB’s highest priorities is reserve. This is the first endeavour by the
reversing the decline in our countryside birds RSPB to ‘crowdfund’ for such a significant
such as skylarks, song thrushes and project and we always knew it was going to
yellowhammers. The intensification and be a rollercoaster ride into the unknown. Our
specialisation of farming has led to the 30 day campaign was another experimental
dramatic wane of many such species and venture for the organisation and has made
sadly, many farms are challenging and significant headway towards the provision of
difficult places for wildlife to thrive. In 2000, a new hide. We’ve been thrilled by the amount
the RSPB purchased Hope Farm in of support from the local community and
Cambridgeshire to showcase how arable businesses and to have such a wonderful
farming can co-exist commercially with opportunity to nationally showcase
wildlife. Birds, bees, bats, butterflies and Snettisham’s amazing wildlife.
various plant species have all increased in
numbers and diversity; skylark numbers have