Grey Partridge making a comeback
With the festive season a distant memory for most of us,
it seems that the Christmas celebrations look set to continue well into
2005 on one particular farm on the Wantsum Marshes. For thanks to the
dedicated and sterling work of farmers Ian and Claire Smith of Netherhale
Farm near Birchington, 2005 looks set to become another bumper year for
our native grey partridge, a bird that has suffered widespread national
population declines in recent years.
With the help of advice and guidance from DEFRA and the
Game Conservancy Trust, the Smith's have whole heartedly embraced a range
of wildlife friendly farming practices under the Countryside Stewardship
Scheme particularly targeted to provide the nesting and feeding habitat
for many of our threatened farmland birds. Importantly at this time of
year over wintering stubbles and wild bird seed mixes are well established
around the farm to provide seeds and grains for birds such as
yellowhammers, tree sparrows, linnets and corn buntings during the ‘hungry’
winter months. Throughout the spring and summer field edge margins are
ablaze with colour of plants such as knapweed, scabious and birds foot
trefoil as well as arable plants such as corn cockle and corn flower which
provide important nectar rich sources for insects such as bumble bees,
hoverflies and butterflies. Such insect rich farmland provides the vital
food sources for the abundant birdlife on the farm at a time of year when
finding food for chicks and fledglings feeding is high on the agenda.
The farm is now reaping the rewards of such dedicated
work with grey partridge numbers increasing from 3 breeding pairs in 2000
to a stunning 39 pairs in 2004. Other birds such as turtle dove, corn
bunting, yellow wagtails have also increased their breeding populations
dramatically over the last four years and, particularly noteworthy, has
been the re appearance of breeding lapwing after many years absence.
Re-creation of a grazing marsh on the lower lying parts of the farm is
also now well underway, with water levels being controlled and scrapes
being dug to provide fantastic wet grassland habitat for both
overwintering wildfowl and breeding waders.
Mr Smith said: "Following advice from DEFRA and The
Game Conservancy Trust, the Countryside Stewardship Scheme has enabled us
to put in place a comprehensive network of habitats, which combined with
selective predator control, supplementary feeding and the decision not to
use any insecticides on the farm, has enabled our grey partridge to
recover to a healthy population. The farmland birds are also thriving
along with the butterflies, moths and small mammals. The farm is now a
more wholesome place where a huge range of wildlife has the chance to make
a living and thrive. Nature is a cycle in which everything is
interdependent and we find the fact that we can make a difference and help
all sorts of species to flourish on our farm very rewarding."
DEFRA Countryside Stewardship Scheme Advisor Dan Tuson
said: "The Smith’s farm is a model example of how careful
management of farmland habitats for wildlife can work hand in hand with
conventional farming. It is especially pleasing to see that so many of our
threatened farmland bird species are now beginning to reap the rewards of
the measures provided under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme through the
dedicated interest and commitment of farmers such as The Smith’s."
