DECCA FIELD. 17.65 Hectares 45 Acres.

Named from the fact that an old Decca navigation system existed next door. Decca Radio Co was founded by an American and the hyperbolic navigation system was used primarily for yachtsmen. It consisted of 3 very tall aerials, 2 of which were taken down in 1999 as the system was phased out due to GPS navigation becoming more popular. We are just left with the one aerial now, this holds amongst other things a transmitter for South Hams Radio.

Decca had been 56 acres but we put 11 into Countryside Stewardship as arable reversion, mainly to help Skylarks breed.

Our highest field on the farm can boast some real rarities, over 130 meters high and just a few  meters from the cliff edge, it is often the first land fall for migrating birds. Yellow-browed bunting, Short-toed lark, Red-throated pipit and Corncrake (found dead under the Decca masts from a collision).

One mast remaining of the old Decca navigation site (Foreground our wader

scrape and duck pond). 

Part of this field is in Higher Level Stewardship growing wild bird food on 1 hectare and unimproved grass on 1.3 hectares.

2012 crop. Winter stubble/White Millet.