Major increase in rare grey partridge and birds of prey thanks to Lincolnshire Farm

The numbers of grey partridge, a declining game bird, and of several birds of prey have doubled over the last ten years in Owmby by Spital, Lincolnshire, thanks to the hard work of the team at Arden Farms with help from Defra's Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS).

Nationally, grey partridge populations have dwindled over the last few decades; however, assistance from payments through a CSS agreement, delivered by the Rural Development Service (RDS) in the East Midlands, has resulted in sightings at Owmby Cliff Farm doubling since the agreement began in 1996.

With the benefit of both annual management and one-off capital payments from Defra, the farm team, encouraged by farm foreman Ian Cook, have worked hard to plant and restore hedges, establish grassy margins, maintain a hay meadow and introduce new footpaths to encourage public access.

By transforming the land, the farm now provides the perfect habitat for a wide range of wildlife, such as butterflies, grasshoppers, spiders and ground beetles to thrive. This ready supply of food and shelter attracts birds such as grey partridge, skylarks, kestrel, buzzard, sparrowhawk and several species of owl.

The sensitive hay meadow management also provides the ideal environment for wildflowers, such as ragged robin, birds foot trefoil, ox eye daisy and meadow saxifrage, which in turn encourages a great variety of butterflies and other insects.

Farm foreman, Ian Cook, said:

"The sights I see each day have made me realise what a huge impact work under CSS can have on the environment. Over the 28 years that I have worked at Owmby Cliff, I have never seen such a wonderful variety of birds, animals and insects - I had to buy a moth and butterflies book to find out what many of these new creatures were!

"As part of our project we have created public access to give visitors and local people the opportunity to appreciate the magnificent array of wildlife the farmland attracts – they may even spot a buzzard or two on their travels."

Jennifer Thorp, an adviser for the Rural Development Service in the East Midlands, said:

"All the team at Arden Farms have worked very hard to integrate conservation measures successfully into what is still a very efficiently run farm. It goes to show that a wildlife sanctuary doesn't have to look 'untidy'. The grey partridge returning to the farm has been a real bonus and shows that quite simple measures which land managers can undertake through environmental schemes can make a big difference. Grey partridge used to be a regular sight but the loss of their farmland habitat has meant their numbers have declined dramatically. Putting the land back to how they like it can only help increase numbers of these birds."