Bird count revealing farmers’ positive role
THE nationwide Big Farmland Bird Count led by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust in February recorded 25 red-listed species, including fieldfares, redwings and yellowhammers.
A record-breaking number of farmers took part this year.
The results show more than 1,000 farmers recorded 121 species across 950,000 acres.
A total of 25 red-listed species were recorded, five of which (fieldfares, starlings, house sparrows, song thrushes and yellowhammers) appeared among the 25 most commonly seen species.
The most plentiful of these were fieldfares and starlings, which were seen on nearly 40% of the farms taking part.
The five most abundant birds spotted during the count were starlings, woodpigeons, fieldfares, rooks and chaffinches.
A total of 99,712 of these were found, making up nearly 50% of the total number of birds recorded – a pattern similar in previous counts.
Farmers from every county in England took part and there were also responses from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as 32 farmers from Austria.
Big Farmland Bird Count organiser Jim Egan said: “To have over 1,000 farmers take part this year, and 2,500 different farmers involved since the count began in 2014, is fantastic.
“We can also see from the data collated that 50% of farmers have been helping farmland birds in the recent cold snap.
“This is critical in getting farmland birds, particularly those on the red list, through the winter so they are fit and healthy to breed in the spring.’’
Mr Egan added: “Our research at the Allerton Project clearly demonstrates the benefits of winter feeding.
“It’s great to know that many farmers will also now be providing insectrich habitat to help provide for breeding birds through the spring and summer months.”
NFU President Minette Batters said: “The event highlights how farmers balance food production and the excellent conservation work being undertaken on farms across the country.
“Over the past four decades, farmers have carried out a huge amount of work to encourage wildlife and are responsible for protecting, maintaining and enhancing 70% of the nation’s iconic countryside.”
The survey areas included important environmental features such as hedges, woodland ponds, grass margins, ditches and trees. Most survey sites were next to winter cereals, grassland or overwintered stubbles.
THE Big Farmland Bird Count was launched in 2014 to highlight the positive work being done by farmers and gamekeepers in helping to reverse the decline in farmland bird numbers.
The count provides a means of recording the effect of conservation work currently being instigated by farmers and gamekeepers on their land.
It is delivered in partnership with Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group Association and Linking Environmant and Farming with support from the National Farmers Union, Country Land and Business Association and Kings Crops.