A NORTH Yorkshire farm is through to the national finals of a competition run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

Now Stephen and Jocelyn Gibson hope the public will make them number one in the Nature of Farming Awards 2009.

Farmers from across the UK entered their conservation projects and wildlifefriendly farming practices in the award.

Judges whittled them down to four finalists – the others are from the Midlands, Scotland and Northern Ireland – and now want the public to select their favourite.

Mr and Mrs Gibson farm Birkdale, a 120-hectare mixed arable and sheep farm at Terrington, near Castle Howard.

It has an impressive range of rare flowers, including Venus’ looking glass, hairy buttercup, corn buttercup, weasel’s snout, red hempnettle, large flower hemp nettle, shepherds needle, corn cockle, smooth tare, treacle mustard, four species of poppy, and spotted orchids in the grass margins.

Mr Gibson encourages the plants to produce seeds which are then spread locally through a Cornfield Wild Flowers Project.

More than 100 species of birds have been recorded on the farm including barn owls, turtle doves, grey partridges, tree sparrows and breeding spotted flycatchers.

A wet grassland area has been created for breeding waders, along with arable margins and beetle banks to support insects.

Skylark plots help boost skylark numbers, and wild bird seed crops are designed to attract tree sparrows and yellowhammers.

Restored hedgerows now provide excellent cover for nesting birds, berries and a good source of blossom for nectar-feeding insects.

Ponds and wetlands that have been developed support banded demoiselles, black tailed skimmer dragonflies and water voles.

The couple encourage visits from universities, ecologists, members of the public and farmers.

The vote runs until August 28 and the RSPB will raise the profile of the finalists at major country shows and events during the coming months.

Votes can be made at rspb.org.uk/farmvote