Research

Sampling for insects
Over the last month our entomologists have been sampling fields for insects at two main long-term study sites – The Sussex Study and the Allerton Project at Loddington. These have been running for 40 years and 19 years respectively and enable us to look out whether the year has been a good one for insects both beneficial to crop protection and for food to the young of farmland birds. Insects are a very rich source of protein and the main source of food for the young of many birds in their first few weeks.

Sawflys do not seem to have fared very well in the south of England (they have always been rare at the Allerton Project), and this could possibly due to the impact of the hard winter on over-wintering adults. Plant bugs have had a good year in many areas with numbers similar to or better than previous years. The hot weather seems to have been particularly favorable to grass hoppers and these were particularly numerous at the Allerton Project. Overall plant feeders probably did well early on due to the good weather, but the lack of rain and subsequent browning of vegetation will probably affect them during July and August. The dry weather may also have had a detrimental impact on soil soft-bodied invertebrates, and this will have a knock-on effect on predators who feed on these.

The right habitat is especially important for all these insects. Conservation headlands, beetle banks, grass margins, undersowing options and wild flower options will all help to boost insect populations. All of these options can be funded by the Entry Level and Higher Level Stewardship Schemes.

Game marking Scheme
Our National Game Marking Scheme, now in its second year, has over 30 sites participating. The aim of the study is to provide an insight into how different pheasant rearing and releasing practices can influence survival during the period from release until the shooting season. Initial feedback has been quite eye-opening, especially how far some birds have travelled. Our MSc student is visiting each release pen to record various habitat and structure details, allowing us to look at how these factors, together with release date of the birds, stocking density etc, influences return rates. If you haven’t completed the Pheasant Information Form or the Shoot Return Form please could you send them back to Maureen Woodburn as soon as possible. To join the Game Marking Scheme please contact Maureen on mwoodburn@gwct.org.uk. We are very grateful to our sponsors, both game rearing equipment suppliers, who have generously provided us with our equipment. Solway Feeders from Kirkcudbright have kindly supplied 50 tagging guns and Roxan International from Selkirk have supplied 60,000 multi-tags. We would like to thank both companies for their support.