Farming doesn’t exist in isolation – it thrives as part of a living, breathing ecosystem. At Vitacress we believe that protecting and encouraging wildlife on our farms leads to healthier crops, fewer pests, and a more sustainable approach to food production. Given that 70% of the UK’s land is farmland, our sector has a unique opportunity, and responsibility, to address the biodiversity crisis.
But how do you protect what you can’t always see?
This is where bioacoustics comes in. An innovative field, transforming how we monitor and understand biodiversity.
As Leah Mathias-Collins, our Group Environment Manager explains: “For the past three years, we’ve proudly partnered with Carbon Rewild, specialists in acoustic monitoring and biodiversity data. We use bioacoustic devices to monitor wildlife species on specific farms and use the data to develop and deliver bespoke conservation projects.”
This winter marked a new milestone. We completed our first-ever winter bird recording project covering five UK sites. From November 2024 to February 2025, bioacoustics recording devices captured bird calls around the clock. We then used AI technology and expert analysis to identify species and estimate population levels.
Most exciting takeaways from this report:
💚 79 bird species identified including Hawfinch, Kingfishers, Ring-Necked Parakeet, Rooks, Song Thrushes
❤️ 12 red list species of conservation concern identified including Yellowhammer, Greenfinch, Marsh Tit, Mistle Thrush, Herring Gull, Lapwing, Skylark
🧡 26 amber list species identified
With our farms spread across the South of England, this data gives a valuable snapshot of the local wildlife and shows how our farms are supporting these species in different ways.
You can read the full report here: Vitacress Winter Bioacoustic Survey Report
Next Stop! October 2025. We’re excited to share our spring/summer bioacoustics report which will also include bat monitoring.
Biodiversity is everyone’s business. At Vitacress, we’re proud to play our part by listening to nature and acting on what we hear.
📷 Thank you to Pixabay for the beautiful photography.