If appropriate, seek derogations from Defra for special management of set-aside for stone-curlews, lapwings, cirl buntings (contact RSPB) and other farmland birds, and rare arable plants (contact FWAG).

To reduce the risk of nitrate leaching, adopt the NVZ (Nitrate Vulnerable Zone) practices of closed seasons from September for spreading slurry on arable land. Well-rotted farmyard manure can be applied in autumn and winter as it has less nitrate available for leaching.

Cultivate as soon as possible after maize harvest and remove compaction caused by wheelings if necessary, drilling the new crop before the soil becomes too wet and susceptible to further compaction. Consider establishing a cover crop after maize harvest to protect soil and reduce nitrate loss if planning a spring sown crop, especially with the increased risk of winter storms and heavy rainfall.

Clean stretches of ditch on a rotation of several years, leaving one of the banks for another year, and avoid dumping spoil on unimproved vegetation or near bankside.

Avoid overstocking grasslands in wet periods to minimise sward damage, soil compaction and colonisation by aggressive weeds; recognise that changing climate will start to restrict grazing even more.

Begin any necessary scrub clearance on Culm grassland/heathland/mires.

Carry out any necessary pond clearance before winter hibernation of frogs and toads begins. Clear only a third of the pond and pond edge each year, to retain some habitat for amphibians and overwintering dragonfly larvae. Seek advice on pond management.

Consider spring-sown cereals/winter stubbles - the Countryside Stewardship Scheme is able to fund this in all areas of the South West. The seeds in winter stubbles are an important food for many farmland birds - buntings, finches and larks. Plan carefully to ensure that land will be suitable for spring cultivation given the changing rainfall patterns.

NOVEMBER

Traditional hedge laying, gapping-up and coppicing can begin where necessary to re-invigorate growth and maintain thick bases. Check for gaps in hedges and plant up or alter the management to restore the hedge.

Tree and hedge planting season starts - plant on frost-free days in early winter to allow roots to settle by spring.

Autumn/winter ditch cleaning causes least disturbance but avoid cleaning extensive stretches in any one year. Cut edge vegetation in alternate years so that dense patches of scrub are always available as breeding sites for wildlife.

Heather and grass on moorland areas can legally be burnt over winter but seek advice to confirm it is the best way of managing such land, and finish burning by mid March to avoid destruction of wildlife.

Where 'sacrifice' areas are used to limit the overall extent of winter poaching, locate these away from watercourses and in areas where run-off does not cause pollution. Consider the need for additional housing and slurry storage as winters become too wet for winter grazing in some areas.

Encourage bankside vegetation along watercourses as buffer zones from arable fields. Countryside Stewardship Scheme will fund 2m or 6m grass margins to buffer ditches and streams, and set-aside allows for the establishment of 10m buffer strips.

Where necessary, fence watercourses against livestock to prevent overgrazing, trampling of riverbanks and soil loss, which can be damaging to water voles and fish.

Well managed trees can reduce riverbank erosion and roots stabilise the bank. Consider scrub and tree planting (grant aided) on open, bare stretches of bank but avoid planting on well vegetated stretches. Coppice willows on a rotation, always leaving some trees uncut every year to retain cover for wildlife.

Leave patches of rough vegetation and scrub, standing and fallen dead wood in and adjacent to woodlands, and weedy corners - do not be too 'tidy'.

Continue scrub clearance on areas of Culm grassland, heathland and chalk grassland.

Try to avoid working and trafficking most soils as they will be too wet from early November.

DECEMBER

Try to delay hedge and scrub management until January/February - uncut hedges over winter provide important food and cover.

Carry out ditch/rhyne cleaning and management over winter and dump spoil on one side only, avoiding naturally rich areas such as unimproved grassland. Work on stretches on alternate sides on a rotation of several years, to save money and encourage wildlife. Some sections should be left permanently where flooding is not a risk.

Encourage more wildlife on your farm, eg, leave ivy-covered and dead trees in hedgerows, protect veteran trees and retain damp areas. Farm buildings, such as barns, are important for roosting and nesting birds (eg, barn owls, swallows and house martins), bats and invertebrates such as spiders. Where hygiene regulations allow, retain all access points to ledges and roofs. Nestboxes may be helpful.

Payments under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme are available to reduce inputs of pesticides and fertiliser in field margins and to re-introduce spring-sown cereals/winter stubbles.

Do not spread livestock manures when the soil is waterlogged, frozen hard, snow-covered or on steeply sloping fields or within 10m of watercourses. Follow the: Defra Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water, Soil and Air (on Business Link website) and use a farm waste management plan. Delay application of slurry until spring to reduce nitrate leaching.

Move dirty water sprinklers regularly to avoid run-off, ponding and worm kills.

Take care with supplementary stock feeding as it can lead to localised poaching or smothering of grassland and nutrient enrichment. Outwintering should not be carried out on flower-rich grassland.

If deer are damaging woodlands, seek advice on appropriate protection and control methods.

Prune orchard trees to increase productivity and reduce potential for disease and wind damage.

Create a network of wildlife corridors around the farm, with field margins and hedgerows.