03 February 2016

Last few places remain on Big Farmland Bird Count ID Days

BFBC ID Day Wiltshire - John Rose 2The Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC) identification days are in full swing with only a few days to run. Most events are now sold out, but there are a handful of places remaining on the South Wales ID Day.

The event takes place on Friday 5 February at Llanbethery Village in the Vale of Glamorgan. To register, visit www.gwct.org.uk/idwales

Over 200 attendees have been to ID Days so far, with all of those giving feedback saying that they would recommend the event to others. The attendees have been lucky enough to see tens of different species, including a flock of over 100 linnet, numerous yellowhammer, reed bunting, skylark, fieldfare and redwing.

One of the GWCT’s Advisory team, Peter Thompson, who ran several ID days, said: “This was a fantastic start to this year’s event. Our host, Charles Spencer, made it a really special day on his beautiful downland farm. Initial feedback from the event tells us that everyone found it most enjoyable and learnt a lot. They feel they now have a much improved chance of actually being able to identify a LBJ – a little brown job!”

Charles Spencer, who hosted an ID at his farm, said: “I really enjoyed being able to host an ID day and showing people what a bit of work and a solid agri-environment scheme can achieve. Before the day, I was a bit worried that all the people attending might keep the birds in hiding. But the numbers of birds and different species we saw was incredible. I’d like to encourage other farmers to take part – they might be surprised by what they learn. I’m excited to see what I can spot on the BFBC day itself!”

Dates for the remaining GWCT Bird Identification Days:

Region

Event Lead Organisation

Event Date

Dorset

South West FWAG

04.02.16

Essex

FWAG East

04.02.16

Vale of Glamorgan

GWCT

05.02.16

Kinross-shire

GWCT

05.02.16

 

Photo captions:

Attendees at the Wiltshire ID Day – credit John Rose.


Notes for 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 14 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.

* GWCT’s Big Farmland Bird Count is sponsored by the NFU and delivered in partnership with the Farmers Union of Wales, Ulster Farmers’ Union, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland, Kings, CFE, FWAG, National Sheep Association, Camgrain, LEAF, the CLA and Perdix.

For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476