Seeds Of Change For The Declining Tree Sparrow And Grey Partridge

Two very threatened bird species, the wild grey partridge and the tree sparrow, both of which have suffered massive national population declines in the past 30 years, are starting to reap the rewards of an inspiring partnership project in the Borders.

In the past two years, the 'Farming for Partridges and Sparrows' project has provided 188 acres of free seeds to over 70 farmers in a bid to create better habitat by growing Wild Bird Cover crops on set-aside land to help these two declining species.

Since the project started, these two Biodiversity Action Plan species have seen dramatic increases in their local populations. The Tree Sparrow, whose national population has declined by 95%, has become the fourth most common species in the area due to this improvement of habitat.

'The Farming for partridges and sparrows' Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) project, was set up two years ago by The Game Conservancy Trust, Borders Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), National Farmers Union of Scotland, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Scottish Agricultural College, Scottish Borders Rural Partnership, plus all the individual farmers. Funding for the hectare of free seeds given to each of the farmers was provided by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Scottish Borders Council

Project co-ordinator Dr Andy Tharme says, "The project has been a tremendous success, built on a strong partnership approach. The farming community in the Borders has shown a real commitment and enthusiasm for this scheme and it is now being recognised as a nationally important nature conservation project. It is really helping to put the Borders on the conservation map."

Hugo Straker of The Game Conservancy Trust adds, "The number of farmers in the Borders participating in the national UK Biodiversity Action Plan grey partridge monitoring and conservation scheme, has risen from two in 1999 to 112 in 2004, many of whom are taking part under this project. As a result, the Borders now has the greatest number of farmers taking part in the national programme than any other region in Scotland, and lies second only to Norfolk in the whole of the UK. This is a remarkable effort."

Peter Gordon of RSPB Scotland enthused "Our winter monitoring of these Wild Bird Cover crops has shown that they are used by several species of farmland birds which are in national decline. I am particularly pleased to report that the tree sparrow is the fourth most common species as, elsewhere, this is fast becoming a rarity. This is good evidence that these crops bring real benefits and we would like to thank the farmers taking part in this important project".

Participating farmer, Chris Walton, Vice-chairman of Borders NFUS Environment and Land Use Committee said, "It is good to have a scheme in which farmers are actively involved from an early stage. There is a great willingness to participate in voluntary schemes such as this. It is also very satisfactory to see the benefits to wildlife and to quantify this through the scheme's monitoring programme".

Derek Robeson Borders FWAG added, "The farmers are really committed to this conservation project. We sent out a project feedback questionnaire that was returned by over 90% of farmers taking part. This is an unbelievable response and gives a clear indication of the Borders farmers' interest in this project."

Scottish Natural Heritage, joint project sponsors with Scottish Borders Council, are very pleased with the progress the project has made. Area Officer Sarah Eno says, "We are delighted to be involved in this key project for priority biodiversity. It is helping forge stronger links between farmers and the nature conservationists and helping safeguard two nationally important species."

Councillor John Elliot, Portfolio Spokesman for Economic Development and Environmental Planning at the Council said, "By playing the leading role in this project, Scottish Borders Council is forging strong links with the farming community in the Borders and taking important steps to help meet the Council's obligations under the forthcoming Nature Conservation legislation. The Council hope to build on this, to work with farmers to create more opportunities through rural development following the implementation of CAP reforms."