Andrew’s efforts help to protect bird at risk

Jan 8 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

LIFE as an accountant just didn’t add up for Andrew Norman.

Ten years ago he gave up his career to become a hill farmer in the North Pennines.

But as hill farming has struggled, Andrew has had to diversify to make a living at his Thimbleby Farm near Stanhope in County Durham, where he keeps a flock of 130 sheep.

His ventures include the Thimbleberry weekend music festivals in June and September, which attract around 1,000 followers who camp on the farm.

Now 49-year-old Andrew’s latest diversification has seen him awarded a Forestry Commission grant to create a winter refuge and feeding area for endangered black grouse.

The funding has paid for three woodland areas, one of which has been specifically designed to attract black grouse by planting downy birch, rowan, hawthorn and goat willow.

Areas of long grass have also been encouraged to provide cover and the edges of the wood merge from trees to shrub to grass, which the grouse prefers.

There is a leking, or display area, used by black grouse on the fell half a mile from Andrew’s farm.

After years of steep decline, conservationists hope that the species may have turned the corner thanks to more sensitive land management. A count last spring revealed that the English population, which is confined to the North Pennines, had passed a significant milestone with over 1,000 males being recorded, up from 800 in 1998.

The Forestry Commission is one of the partners in the North Pennines Black Grouse Recovery Project.

Andrew, who lives on the farm with wife Suzi and their three children, said: “Creating this wood is something I’ve wanted to do for quite a while.

“The lek is fairly close by, but the birds need to find cover during the winter to escape the harsh weather. That’s what this woodland has been designed for so hopefully, as the trees mature, it will find itself on the local flight path.”

Of his career change, Andrew said: “Apart from sleeping, people spend most of their time working and you owe it to yourself to do something you enjoy. It’s as simple as that. The pay cheques were all right, but I didn’t enjoy accountancy. I was counting other people’s beans.”

Andrew’s 12 acres of woodland planting has been backed by £21,300 from the Forestry Commission, which includes annual payments for agricultural income foregone.

The Forestry Commission is keen to support other people who want to create a new woodland or improve the management of an existing one. Under new rules, applications to the English Woodland Grant Scheme score heavily if they can demonstrate benefits for wildlife, recreation or conservation.

Brendan Callaghan, Forestry Commission regional director, said: “Andrew has shown real drive in getting the planting scheme off the ground and wildlife will be the long-term beneficiary. But there’s personal satisfaction in making a positive impact on the environment.”