UK Farmers Sign-up To Create Partridge Heaven

Gearing up towards meeting the 2010 Biodiversity Action Plan Target for wild grey partridges, The Game Conservancy Trust has been enlisting the support of UK farmers by encouraging them to plan their Entry Level Schemes* around the needs of this much loved but declining gamebird.

According to Peter Thompson, the Trust's farmland biodiversity officer, farmers have responded enthusiastically to the Trust's local partridge recovery groups now established across the country in areas like Wessex, Cotswolds, Northumberland and East Anglia. Large numbers of farmers and estate managers have also given up precious time to attend partridge demonstration days, which show how the new agri-environment schemes can be specifically targeted towards the needs of grey partridges.

Peter Thompson said, "Without farmers and farmed land, grey partridges are doomed. We are therefore delighted that the farming community is showing so much interest in saving this iconic bird species."

However, it appears that although partridges are benefiting from the creation of improved nesting habitats, other important features, like brood-rearing cover are being neglected.

"Partridge chicks need to come away from the nesting area to forage for food and they need to have cover to protect them from avian predators," explains Peter. "The brood cover needs to be insect-rich, within a protective canopy of taller vegetation that is not too thick at the base. Under the Entry Level Scheme there are some good payment options under brood rearing. For example, conservation headlands with no fertiliser applied pays £330 per hectare."

It is also important to think about the middle of the field. Peter continues, "Grey partridges like open countryside, so to really boost partridge numbers, place strips in the middle of the field next to an environmental feature such as a beetle bank. You will then create partridge heaven and be paid in the process!"

To help farmers, land managers and gamekeepers make the most of their Entry Level Scheme for grey partridges the Trust have published a set of five free fact sheets, which explain how to restore wild grey partridges. Topics covered include: creating and improving habitats, providing food and shelter and protecting partridges from predators.

Alternatively, farmers can join one of the Trust's regional partridge recovery groups, in order to exchange ideas and receive regular updates on the best ways of managing land for grey partridges.