A visit to Montague Farm

By David Beer

Eastbourne Local Members Group

On a cool and blustery morning 22 of us gathered at Montague Farm for a tour of the farm and to see how biodiversity can be increased without a decline in productivity. Our tour started with Martin giving us a potted history of the farm and the changes that have happened in recent times. As we gazed out over the Levels from the farmyard the diversity of habitats was clear to see - hedgerows, reedbeds, scrub and meadows. There was an abundance of birdsong and plenty of Swallows keeping us entertained. 

Strolling down the green lane and onto the wet meadows the diversity of wild flowers soon became obvious. The Green Winged Orchids which have encouragingly increased in numbers in recent years to over 2000 in a single meadow were a real treat. Further on we gathered around a pond with associated reed bed that Martin had created a few years ago. There are now many ponds and ditches on his land which hold a wealth of invertebrates including a significant number of rare beetles. As we returned to the farm buildings we were greeted by the sight and sound of hundreds of lambs reminding us that Montague Farm is very much a working farm. We all left buoyed by what we had seen and with the view that running a profitable farm and increasing biodiversity are not polar opposites.