14 May 2013

Last chance to train on a grey day

Grey partridge recovery suffered a severe setback after the disastrous breeding season in 2012. Photocredit: Peter ThompsonTime is running out for anyone wishing to book on the grey partridge training days run by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Advisory Service.

The GWCT grey partridge re-establishment programme follows a disastrous breeding season for the iconic bird over the wet summer of 2012. In the UK, grey partridge numbers had already declined by over 80% in the past quarter century and the poor breeding in 2012 was a further set-back to their recovery. The GWCT is encouraging landowners, farmers and gamekeepers to help re-establish partridge populations where they have become locally extinct or have fallen below self-sustainable levels.

There has already been unprecedented demand for the first of this year’s grey partridge training days, which the GWCT is holding on 13th June at the National Agricultural Centre at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. The training is based on a three-year research study initiated by the Trust, which investigated the most effective methods of re-establishing a partridge population through releasing and culminated in comprehensive guidelines for practitioners.

The GWCT is urging anyone with an interest in grey partridge conservation to sign up for the course while there are still places available.

Drs Roger Draycott and Francis Buner of the GWCT will be running the day along with Dr David Butler, a gamebird biologist from Perdix Wildlife. Dr Draycott said, “This course is relevant to everyone interested in grey partridge conservation, from farms or conservation groups looking to re-establish a small but viable resident population on their land to game managers whose ultimate goal is to achieve a sustainable wild grey partridge shoot.”

The one-day course on the 13th June costs £66 per person including lunch and can be booked by contacting Lynda Ferguson on 01425 651013 or email: lferguson@gwct.org.uk. Alternatively book online: www.gwct.org.uk/courses.

END

Photocaption: Grey partridge recovery suffered a severe setback after the disastrous breeding season in 2012.

Photocredit: Peter Thompson.


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