RESEARCHERS at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), who are studying wild grey partridges – one of our fastest declining farmland birds – are hoping for a warm summer this year to repeat the breeding success of 2014, which saw an 18 per cent increase in grey partridges.

The 2014 autumn counts revealed that the total number of grey partridges recorded in its Partridge Count Scheme (PCS) increased by 4,730 birds to a total of 33,250 birds.

According to the trust, more than 1,000 farmers and gamekeepers are putting their combined weight behind saving this species.

These passionate and dedicated enthusiasts are also going out twice a year – in spring and autumn – to count birds.

Dr Roger Draycott, from the GWCT, said: “For the first time in several years we had excellent summer weather during the peak hatching season for grey partridges. Where farmers and keepers had put in place a good bundle of management measures, we are witnessing a fantastic turnaround in numbers in most regions.”

Once widely spread across the country with a population of more than a million breeding pairs, the wild grey partridge population has suffered a massive drop in numbers of more than 86 per cent in the past 40 years because of land use changes and the indirect effect of pesticides, which kill the insects that young chicks depend on. They need to eat at least 2,000 insects a day.

However, the GWCT, which has been monitoring the birds since 1933 through its Partridge Count Scheme, says that the counts last year showed an impressive uplift in its population.

dR Draycott said: “Grey partridges can bounce back really quickly given the right conditions, particularly as they lay more eggs than any other bird in this country – as many as 18 eggs can be laid in one nest. But when bird numbers are very low they do need targeted management to maintain numbers, such as good all year-round habitats. They also benefit from supplementary food over winter as well as protection from predators.”

Eastern counties of England maintained high autumn densities with a rise of five per cent. Norfolk, for example, which is a stronghold for grey partridge conservation, recorded 30 birds per 100 hectares.

Essex recorded double the breeding productivity necessary to prevent a further decline in numbers. However, the GWCT reports that it needs more people to count their birds in this area.

In Northern England, the scheme recorded the highest average density of any region in 2014 and this was up by 25 per cent compared to 2013 In the Southern region, for the first time in 15 years the GWCT’s Partridge Count Scheme recorded an encouraging improvement in breeding success. However, although this is good news, partridge productivity in the South remains the lowest.

The situation in the West Country is looking increasingly dire. Although Dorset recorded good productivity, the South West continues to see few birds.

For more information, go to gwct.org.uk/pcs, phone 01425 651066 or email nkingdon@gwct.org.uk