Being biodynamic organic the farm is a natural haven for wildlife. When traversing a field the walker is likely to disturb a hare or two, causing a brown blur to be seen shooting away at great speed. There are three types of deer to be found, fallow, roe and muntjack. The birdlife is profuse, with larks, snipe, buzzards, hawks, owls and many many more to be found on the farm’s wetland, pastures and in its hedges and woods. There are also a plethora butterflies to be found, including some rareties, for instance, the brown hairstreak, which will only lay eggs on blackthorn stems on 1 particular day each year, a fussiness that seems somewhat connected to its rariety!

Our commitment to wildlife has been supported by funding from Natural England, who have provided “Higher Level Stewardship” grants to support the development of wildlife habitats, for instance, the “flash” midway down the eastern boundary was created with stewardship funds, and a great deal of work in the wood and along the riverbank has also been supported.

2017 was the last full year for our contract with Natural England relating to the Higher Level Stewardship scheme. This has now been replaced with an even more environmentally friendly scheme which we successfully completed in 2019. As the government finds it feet regarding the post-brexit farm subsidies, we remain committed to farming Rush Farm in the most regenerative, supportive and productive way.