BUCKLES FARM

BARRAS, KIRKBY STEPHEN

• THE FARM
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• ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES
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• VISITORS

ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES

East Stainmore common is an area of grassy fell with some heather regeneration.  The Countryside Stewardship scheme is particularly targeting the maintenance and improvement of habitat for birds including Black Grouse, Golden Plover and Merlin.

The Countryside Stewardship scheme operating on the farm is principally targeted at pond creation and field boundary restoration.

Mousegill beck SSSI is a steeply sided gill with its own micro-climate and unique vegetation.  The bed and banks of the beck are of outstanding geological interest showing a sequence of rock layers originally formed during the mid-Carboniferous period.  The rock section spans about 15 million years of geological history.

SOIL TYPE(S)

The soils around the farm are heavy clay.  The fell land has peaty soils.

GEOLOGY

The farm sits on red sandstone but this changes to carboniferous limestone higher up towards the fell land.  Kevin Buckle has a small quarry providing limestone for walling purposes

FAUNA

East Stainmore is managed to provide habitat for Golden Plover, Merlin and Black Grouse.

 

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FLORA

Mousegill beck and Strice Gill both have their own micro-climate with rare orchids and limestone grassland.  Strice Gill also has ancient holly trees.

The fell is mostly grass with some heather regenerating following a reduction in sheep numbers.

ARCHAEOLOGY

There is a Roman signal station on East Stainmore common.  There is evidence of a ridge and furrow system on one of the in-bye fields.

HEDGEROWS

There are around 500 metres of hedgerows on the farm, some of which were planted under the farm’s countryside stewardship scheme.

DRY STONE WALLS

The farm boundaries are mostly walls with approximately 4,260 metres on the holding.

VERNACULAR BUILDINGS & FEATURES

The farmhouse dates from the early 19th century.