Nick von Westenholz, GWCT CEO, says: “We have more than tripled the number of farmers and land managers taking part in the BFBC since it started in 2014.
“This is such a hugely important initiative, raising awareness of the crucial role that farmers play in helping our farmland birds, and measuring the impact of the conservation work that many farms and estates carry out.
“Data captured by land managers is a fundamental element of creating a broad evidence base for what is going in the countryside and which interventions are working to help restore nature. At The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust we employ a wide range of brilliant scientists, working on a whole variety of projects addressing specific challenges. It is great to augment this work with initiatives like the Big Farmland Bird Count, which gives us a snapshot of our farmed environment that would be hugely challenging to replicate without the involvement of thousands of farmers, land managers and landowners.”
David Exwood, NFU Deputy President, says: “The NFU is proud to sponsor the Big Farmland Bird Count. It is a fantastic event that we encourage all our members to get involved in. We know that they are doing great things on their farms for conservation, making space for nature as well as producing food. This is a simple but effective way of telling the story of what is happening on our farms.
“The count gives us a unique insight into our nation’s farmland birds, while showcasing a snapshot of the great work farmers do to protect the environment.
"From wetlands and hedgerows to woodlands and wildflower meadows, the UK is home to an array of biodiverse farmlands, and the count is a fantastic chance to see first-hand the birds and habitats farmers care so much about preserving.
"The Big Farmland Bird Count shows how agri-environment schemes like the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) can make a real difference to the environmental work farmers do. It is vital that the scheme remains accessible for all active farmers so environmental ambitions can continue."
Why does it matter?
Since 1970 the UK has lost 73 million wild birds and now more than one in four bird species are on the Red List. Farmland birds have shown the biggest decline, with numbers falling by 63% in the past 50 years.
We will not halt the alarming declines of species such as curlew and skylarks if we leave it to nature reserves and national parks alone. With 72% of land in the UK being farmland, the key to reversing the decline in wildlife is held by those looking after this land and biodiversity recovery must take place alongside sustainable food production.
The BFBC helps us figure out what is working for wildlife and provides farmers with a way of measuring the impact their conservation efforts are having on the landscape. This data helps us demonstrate why it is essential that the Government continues to adequately fund agri-environment measures.
Over the past decade, the count has enabled us to spot trends and changes in the abundance of certain species. One such example is the yellowhammer, which had declined dramatically, but has since increased four-fold on farms with both an agri-environment scheme and supplementary feeding in place.
Reasons for the decline
Changes in farming methods, such as the removal of hedges and natural wildlife corridors, and the use of pesticides since the 1970s mean many species, such as yellowhammers, corn buntings and grey partridges have struggled to find enough food and suitable habitat. There have also been big increases in predators like crows and foxes, which prey on eggs, chicks and adult birds.
The BFBF also highlights how we can all help our birds during the winter months when food is scarce and temperatures drop, a time often referred to as the ‘hungry gap’ when natural food sources are running low. These are some of the measures farmers can implement:
- Planting and sympathetically managing hedgerows (not cutting every year) to provide farmland birds with nesting habitat, safe places to hide from predators and berries and insects to eat.
- Creating and keeping wide field margins – conservation headlands – where little or no pesticides are used, allowing some broad-leaved weeds to flourish, and sowing strips of plants to provide bird seed.
- Leaving some areas of land cultivated but uncropped to provide food and suitable nesting for birds that prefer to forage and nest on the ground, such as red-listed lapwing, skylark and stone curlew.
- A pond or wetland area around the farm can help attract wildfowl and wading birds.
- All these measures help to provide food, nesting habitat and a safe haven from predators.
New digital recording platform
All the data is now being recorded on the PERDIXPro Fieldbook app, making the processing of your results much simpler and easier. Participants can input counts instantly as they record out in the field, or save the form in draft and complete and submit it later.
The app can be downloaded onto any mobile phone or tablet. There is still the option of filling in a paper version of the count sheet, and either sending it to us, or inputting it yourself later through the app.
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Notes to Editors:
Research at the Allerton Project has shown that by managing our land in a way that provides suitable habitat, such as sympathetic hedgerow management and supplementary feeding through semi-natural habitats and feeders, we can increase both the numbers and species of birds and mammals across the farm. To show and prove that these measures are working, keeping regular records of our work and the species and numbers of birds that live there are vital.
How to take part in the Big Farmland Bird Count
Signing up for the GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count is free and no specialist knowledge or equipment are required, just the willingness to spend half an hour on the edge of a field to observe the birds around you. You do not have to be an expert and there are many useful tools, such as the free Merlin Bird ID app that can be used.
In many places, local bird and wildlife groups are working with farmers and land managers to help them do the count. Why not contact your local ornithological group to see if they can help.
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Download the PERDIXPro Fieldbook app, or print off a count sheet. Head out and pick an area of the farm where you know birds like to gather.
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Pick a day between 6 and 22 February.
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Bring a pair of binoculars and pick a spot on the edge of the field and out of the wind where you have a better chance of spotting more birds. Being near a hedgerow can be useful as many farmland birds will seek cover in hedges.
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Count your birds! Spend about 30 minutes recording both the species and number of birds seen on your chosen area of the farm.
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Once you've completed your count, simply submit your results through the app, or post them to us. If submitting through the app you can also have your own results emailed to you as a PDF or Excel document.
Bird ID guides, instructions, link to app, printable count sheets, are available at the BFBC website.
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 more than 60 post-doctoral scientists and 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 also has a dedicated professional advisory service to make sure that the results of its research are easily available to farmers, landowners, gamekeepers, and others delivering practical conservation.
NFU - The NFU is the largest farming organisation in the UK and represents more than 46,000 farmers and growing businesses. It strives to protect and promote British agriculture and horticulture and campaigns for a stable and sustainable future for British farmers and growers.
For more information, please contact:
Eleanor Williams – GWCT Media & Communications Manager