Farming has been the headland's dominant land use for centuries. The rich boulder clay, and underlying geology, makes the area both productive and easy to work. Many small farms exist side by side, with holdings ranging from 200ha down to less than 7ha, and the once mixed practices have now been replaced with mainly arable farming. Flamborough farmers take great pride in their land, and with the help of agri-environment schemes many wildlife friendly practices have been adopted. Sensitive farming techniques are helping declining farmland birds such as corn buntings, yellowhammer and lapwing, and providing vital habitats for other animals like dragonflies, bats and butterflies.