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Frequently asked questions - farmers
Q. How much does a survey cost?
A. Absolutely nothing - all V&FA surveys are free, with no obligation. If you are interested in doing more for birds and wildlife, by having a record of the birds on your land, you can make the best choices when planning habitat management or improvements on your farm.
Q. How do I request a V&FA survey on my farm?
A. First you need to register your farm – email volunteer&farmeralliance@rspb.org.uk or contact project staff in your area. You will also need to supply a map of your farm and indicate the area you would like to be surveyed (max 80ha). Once registered, you will be matched with a suitable volunteer who will conduct the survey, depending on availability.
Q. My farm is smaller than 80ha; can I still have a survey?
A. Yes – we limit the maximum size of the survey area to 80ha as this the most that a volunteer can realistically survey in a morning. Smaller holdings are still eligible to have a survey, so please talk to project staff in your area to discuss the suitability of your farm.
Q. My farm is larger than 80ha; can I still have a survey?
A. Yes – but you will need to indicate clearly on your farm map which area you would like to have surveyed. 80ha is the maximum area that a volunteer can realistically survey in a morning.
Q. When will I know if I can have a survey?
A. We will contact you from mid-February to let you know if we have been able to successfully match you with a volunteer. If we have been unsuccessful, project staff in your area may be able to offer an alternative to the full survey so please discuss this with them.
Q. What happens after the survey?
A. The results of your survey are recorded on a laminated map, which is yours to keep. This map shows where the birds of conservation concern were recorded on your land and any behaviour they were displaying. We will also provide you with advice based on the survey results and your farming system to help you plan future habitat management if you wish to do so. We can also put you in touch with specialist staff who can offer more specific advice, or you may choose to get involved with other projects for priority bird species.
Q. What happens to the data you collect on my farm?
A. The results of each individual farm are confidential, but data is made available for conservation purposes to other important projects, including the Bird Conservation Targeting Project (BCTP) and the BTO atlas. This is done in line with the Data Protection Act (1998) and does not provide locations at a level specific enough to identify specific farms.
Q. Will I have to change my farming practices if something rare is found on my land?
A. No. Farmers are under no obligation to take any action following the survey, however the RSPB is happy to offer free and impartial, farm-specific advice on how to achieve the maximum wildlife benefit from your land.
Q. I’d like to enter into an agri-environment scheme. Can V&FA help me?
A. Your survey results will help you to decide on the most appropriate options to pick as part of your agri-environment application, which will benefit the bird species you have on your holding. Some higher-level agri-environment schemes require surveys to be conducted, and V&FA surveys can be used to support such applications.