Wild Bird Seed Mixtures
Over recent years we have seen wild bird seed mixtures become a lot more popular. They can be used either as part of the Countryside stewardship agreement (CCS) Mid Tier, Higher Tier, ELS or HLS, Game Cover Crops or just for Environmental benefits.
These mixtures can be Sown from Mid March until June. Warm soils and well prepared seed bed are key in good establishment, They provide a great source of food for small mammals & birds include Finches, Buntings, Grey Partridge & Tree Sparrows.
For Higher Tier & HLS these mixtures must be agreed with the local Natural England Advisor before ordering seed. HAM offer a wide range ready made mixes but are also pleased to offer a bespoke mixing service tailoring mixtures to your individual requirements.

WBS 3 - 1 Year Spring Sown Mixture
WBS 1 – 1 Year Spring Sown
(CCS Code AB9)
Spring Triticale
Spring Barley
Spring Wheat
White Millet
Red Millet
Fodder Radish
Sowing Rate 40kg/ha
Pack size 20kg
WBS 2 – 2 Year Spring Sown
(CCS Code AB9)
Spring Triticale
Spring Barley
Spring wheat
Kale
Fodder Radish
White Millet
Quinoa
Red Millet
Sowing Rate 40kg/ha
Pack size 20kg
WBS 2 With Sunflowers
2 Year Spring Sown Mixture
(CCS Code AB9)
Spring Triticale
Spring Barley
Kale
Fodder Radish
White Millet
Quinoa
Red Millet
Sunflowers
Sowing Rate 40kg/ha
Pack size 20kg
WBS 3 – 1 Year Spring Sown
(CCS Code AB9)
Spring Triticale
Spring Barley
Spring Wheat
White Mustard
Linseed
Forage Rape
Sowing Rate 40kg/ha
Pack size 20kg
WBS 4 – 1 Year Spring Sown
(CCS Code AB9)
Spring Barley
Spring Triticale
Dwarf Sorghum
White Millet
Linseed
Japanese Reed Millet
Red Millet
Gold of Pleasure
Sowing Rate 40kg/ha
Pack size 20kg
WBS 4 With Sunflowers
1 Year Spring Sown
(CCS Code AB9)
Spring Triticale
Spring Barley
Dwarf Sorghum
Sunflowers
White Millet
Linseed
Japanese Reed Millet
Red Millet
Gold of Pleasure
Sowing Rate 40kg/ha
Pack size 20kg
Feed & Cover Mixture
(CCS Code AB9)
Spring Triticale
Spring Barley
Spring Wheat
Dwarf Sorghum
White Millet
Japanese Reed Millet
Red Millet
Gold of Pleasure
Quinoa
Linseed
Sowing Rate 40kg/ha
Pack size 20kg
Bespoke Mixture
HAM have a wide range of straights available and can tailored make bespoke Wild Bird Seed Mixtures (AB9) to your own requirements.

WBS 1 Non Cereal
1 Year Spring Sown
(CCS Code AB9)
Dwarf Sorghum
White Millet
Red Millet
Japanese Reed Millet
Quinoa
Linseed
Fodder Radish
Gold of Pleasure
Sowing Rate 25kg/ha
Pack Size 25kg
WBS 2 Non Cereal
2 Year Spring Sown
(CCS Code AB9)
Kale
White Millet
Red Millet
Japanese Reed Millet
Quinoa
Linseed
Fodder Radish
Gold of Pleasure
Sowing Rate 15kg/ha
Pack Size 15kg
WBA 1 - 2 Year Autumn Sown
(CCS Code AB16)
Winter Triticale
Winter Wheat
Winter Barley
Vetch
Fodder Radish
Forage Rape
Gold of Pleasure
Lucerne (inoculated)
Alsike Clover
Birdsfoot Trefoil
Crimson Clover
Red Clover
Sowing rate 40 - 50kg
Pack Size 20kg
WBA 2 Autumn Sown Bumblebird Mixture
2 Year Autumn Sown
(CCS CodeAB16)
Winter Triticale
Winter Wheat
Winter Barley
Fodder Radish
Vetch
Crimson Clover
Kale
Gold of Pleasure
Lucerne (inolculated)
Birdsfoot Trefoil
Phacelia
Red Clover
Black Knapweed (N)
Oxeye Daisy
Yarrow
Sowing rate 40 - 50kg/ha
Pack size 20kg
Winter feeding for farmland birds
AB12: Supplementary winter feeding for farmland birds
Requirements
You must:
- make sure the winter supplementary feeding mix must include both cereals (not maize) and other small seeds.
- make sure the other small seeds component is a minimum of 30% of the total mix by weight and contain at least 3 of the following, with no individual species being more than 50% of the total small seed component by weight:
- canary seed
- linseed
- oilseed rape
- red millet
- sunflower hearts
- white millet
- spread the winter supplementary feeding mix at a rate of 25kg once a week for 20 weeks between 1 December until 30 April, at each of 2 separate feeding locations - you can vary the amount to be fed by up to 5kg per week to match demand as necessary
- select feeding areas that are firm and free-draining, such as farm tracks or hard standing areas, and in close proximity to enhanced overwinter stubbles, game cover or wild bird seed mixtures
Keeping records
On your annual claim you must declare that you have not carried out any activities prohibited by the option requirements.
You must keep the following records and supply them on request:
- details of the mixture used (weight of components and cost)
- dates of feeding
- method of feeding (hopper or spreading)
- amount of feed
- the location of the feeding areas
Manage how and when to supplementary feed
Having 2ha of AB9 Winter bird food in the agreement allows 1 tonne of supplementary feed to be spread each year, split equally between 2 feeding stations, so 500kg per year per feeding station. Where less than 2ha of AB9 is put into the agreement, a pro-rata amount of AB12 can be included. For example, the minimum area allowed of AB9 is 0.4ha. This would allow 200kg of AB12 to be included, spread equally between two feeding stations, so 100kg per year per feeding station.
Supplementary feeding should start before the sown winter bird food runs out. This keeps farmland birds using the areas and prevents a dip in their winter condition.
Distribute enough supplementary food to match the birds’ consumption, so that seed is not left uneaten. This will ensure that a fresh supply of food is maintained, which will keep birds healthy and reduce any rodent problems. This is particularly important when ground feeding, or if hoppers are left unprotected.
Feed twice a week so that no food is left by the second day after feeding. As well as reducing rodents this will cut down on the use of the supplementary feed areas by crows and pigeons. Feed should be well spread out on the areas chosen, rather than left in piles.
Prepare to be flexible, so that if the winter period is extended through bad weather, the amount of feeding planned can be adjusted and extended for any additional days or weeks that are needed. This ensures that birds are not left with a ‘hungry gap’ before the natural seed resources on the farm become available.
For the lastest up-to-date information regarding AB12: Supplementary winter feeding for farmland birds, please visit:

Darrell Clark
Orders & Enquiries
Darrell.clark@harlow-ag.co.uk

Ben Freeston
Orders & Enquiries
Ben.freeston@harlow-ag.co.uk