The past four years have been challenging for an inspiring wild bird restoration project on the Rotherfield Park Estate in Hampshire, where researchers from the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, working in collaboration with estate staff have been battling to save one of our most threatened farmland birds, the wild grey partridge.
However, despite the project starting from zero wild grey partridges in 2004, this year’s autumn counts reveal that the greys on the estate have finally achieved a momentous breakthrough with 100 birds counted in the past few weeks. In addition, the researchers report outstanding results for other wild birds that have formed part of the recovery project including lapwing, woodcock, wild pheasants and songbirds such as yellowhammer, linnet and house sparrow.
To share the results of the project, the GWCT is inviting farmers, gamekeepers and landowners with an interest in wild grey partridge conservation, to attend a fascinating farmland walk at Rotherfield Park on Tuesday 14th October 2014 by kind permission of Sir James Scott, owner of Rotherfield Park.
The afternoon walk around the study site will be led by Dr Francis Buner, the GWCT’s partridge biologist and Malcolm Brockless, the project’s gamekeeper, who will explain the intensive management, including extensive habitat improvements that have been made during the life-time of the project.
The event forms part of the South East and Wessex Partridge Group, which was set up by the GWCT more than six years ago in a bid to boost wild grey partridge numbers in south Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset. Since then nearly 100 different estates, farms and shoots across the region have become involved in the group in a bid to learn about grey partridge conservation, as well as sharing knowledge about this seriously threatened bird. To answer any specific advisory questions, the GWCT’s Dr Mike Swan and Peter Thompson, will also be available on the day and will offer further insight on the best methods of restoring partridges in the region.
Book your place
Tickets to attend the meeting are £14 each and include refreshments. The afternoon will start promptly at 2.00pm, followed by a two hour walk. You can book online or contact Lynda Ferguson at the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust by telephone on 01425 651013 or email at lferguson@gct.org.uk.
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Photocaption: Wild grey partridges on an inspiring wild bird recovery project on the Rotherfield Estate have finally achieved a momentous breakthrough with 100 birds counted in the past few weeks. Photocredit: Peter Thompson, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish 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:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk