Going Game for the birds and bees

Popular songbirds such as song thrush, yellowhammer, blackbird, tree sparrow and reed bunting are thought to have declined on British farmland because of reduced availability of seed food in efficient modern farming systems.  However, an extensive national study by  the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust has revealed that game cover crops such as kale and quinoa,  (often referred to as wild bird seed mixtures)  grown for the benefit of pheasants and partridges, are one of the best farmland habitats for a wide range of other bird species and insects too.

To make the best of these crops and to provide the right conditions that will make them thrive, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is running a series of fascinating one-day workshops in Leicestershire, North Yorkshire and Wiltshire in September 2010.  The workshops will be particularly relevant to farmers, shoot managers or gamekeepers, who are keen to make the best use of these crops on their land.

Based around the Trust’s long-standing research, the workshops will contain a fountain of information on how to maximize the benefit of these crops in order to provide hardy holding cover for released game as well as year round habitat for the conservation of wild birds.   The workshops will identify crucial factors that will influence their success, such as what to plant, how to find the perfect location and dealing with pests that might ruin the value of these important crops. Adding a dash of fertilizer can also work wonders.  But how much?   The workshops will also provide the answers to these questions plus information on the relevant agri-environment options.

Game cover crops are now considered a vital part of the farming landscape and the Trust’s leading research has been pivotal in their successful development.  Advice on the course will help to ensure that participants will get any planting scheme right first time in order to eliminate any costly mistakes in terms of time and money.  It also means that game and wild birds will benefit from this valuable growing food source during the leanest months of winter. 
The one-day workshops are being held at:

• Middleton Tyas Estate, North Yorkshire on Tuesday 14 September (10am-3.30pm) – Kindly sponsored by Strutt & Parker
• The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s Allerton Project, Loddington Leicestershire on Wednesday 8 September (10.00am -3.00pm)
• Bright Seeds, Swallowcliffe, Salisbury, Wiltshire on Tuesday 14 September, (10.00am – 3.00pm) – kindly sponsored by Bright Seeds.

For full details and to book a place at £50 per person, please contact Lynda Ferguson on 01425 651013 or email advisory@gwct.org.uk

Picture Caption: Those keen to improve their game cover crops are being urged to attend a one-day workshop being run by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust in North Yorkshire, Leicestershire and Wiltshire this autumn. Trust research shows that kale and quinoa are top of the game cover crops for many species but add a dash of cereal such as triticale and you have the most perfect brunch for most game and other farmland birds. 

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Notes to editors

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is an independent wildlife conservation charity which carries out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats and we lobby for agricultural and conservation policies based on science. We employ 14 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming and statistics.  We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies.   The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.

For Information, contact
Morag Walker, Head of Media
Telephone: 01425-652381
Direct:  01425-651000
Mobile: 07736-124097