The Padstow Farm Shop has released a limited edition ‘Grey Partridge Pilsner’, which aims to raise funds for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s (GWCT) Cornish Grey Partridge Project (CGPP).
Our native grey partridge (Perdix perdix) flourished as humans cleared land for agriculture. But over the last 50 years, numbers of these surprisingly colourful gamebirds have crashed from millions to just over 65,000 breeding pairs. Not only have numbers decreased nationally but their range has also reduced. The CGPP has been devised in response to this decline.
Research by the GWCT has shown that, with the right habitat management and a reintroduction of birds, populations can be restored. An area around Tregirls, Padstow, part of the Prideaux-Brune Estate, has been chosen for the CGPP. Grey partridge broods will be introduced to the area in Autumn 2016 and the population will be carefully monitored for five years.
Charlie Watson Smyth, who farms the land where the partridges will be reintroduced, and runs the Padstow Farm Shop with his family, says: “We are really passionate about reintroducing the Grey Partridge back into Cornwall. We are delighted that the farm has been chosen for the project, and have commissioned the ‘Grey Partridge Pilsner’ from Padstow Brewery in celebration.”
The pilsner’s light and refreshing taste, with hints of citrus, makes for perfect summer drinking. And the warm glow you will experience from supporting the reintroduction of a beloved bird into the Cornish countryside will carry you well into winter. Padstow Farm Shop is generously donating 5p to the project for each bottle sold. It is open seven days a week through to September and delivery is available to the UK mainland.
For more information on Padstow Farm Shop, please visit www.padstowfarmshop.co.uk.
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