Grey Partridge Conservation and counting


Are we doing our bit, asks Mike Swan Head of Education, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust T


he native grey partridge is universally held in high regard by sportsmen and conservationists across the


UK. It is an iconic creature, but has sadly suffered a massive 86 per cent decline over the past 40 years, although it was once our most numerous game bird. It is because of this that the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust has been undertaking intensive research to discover the major factors causing their decline and has also been given the role of lead partner in the biodiversity action plan to restore the wild grey partridge in the UK.


So, where are we in relation to that aim? Well the honest answer is that we do not really know. Many shoots have done a good deal to improve both habitat and keepering, and there are some wonderful examples of dramatic recovery. However, there are huge tracts of countryside where we have no data on the partridge population. This is such a pity, because partridges are not difficult to count. In general, they are well wedded to their home patch, and you are likely to see them in much the same place day after day.


Provided you use a vehicle to get around without frightening them, both spring pairs and autumn coveys are easy to find.


So, if you have a bit of open country, please go out there and count. It’s not difficult and indeed great fun. What could be more pleasant than riding round your patch on a bright March or August evening, spying on the wildlife, and marking it down on a map? Please do not think that we at GWCT are only interested in the places that have lots


of partridges, as nothing could be further from the truth. Every partridge really does count, and most of our partridge count scheme contributors are looking after small numbers. Keeping tabs on these widespread populations of just a few birds, and improving their fortunes by a modest amount is the real way forward, and helps to prove that those who manage land for game really do care about conservation.


To get involved, please contact Neville Kingdon at GWCT headquarters on 01425 651066 or email nkingdon@gwct.org.uk 11


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