Big Farmland Bird Count turnout praised amid winter storms

Almost 2,000 farmers and land managers took part in this year’s Big Farmland Bird Count, recording 130 different species in appalling weather.

The annual nationwide survey took place from 4-20 February, just as storms Dudley and Eunice swept across the UK.

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), which organised the count, praised all those who turned out to count 420,000 individual birds across more than 600,000ha.

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Bird species

Among the birds recorded were 26 red-listed species, with seven red listers among the 25 most frequently seen species.

Of these, starlings, lapwings, fieldfares, and linnets were the four most abundant red-listed species to be spotted, with more than 125,000 counted.

That equates to 29% of all species recorded in the survey, which is now in its ninth year.

The most common species were blackbirds and woodpigeons, sighted by more than 71% of participants. More than 63% saw robins, carrion crows and pheasants.

The five most abundant birds seen were woodpigeons, starlings, lapwings, fieldfares and rooks, with 204,398 spotted in total, which equates to 48% of all the  birds counted.

Commitment

The count has been sponsored by the NFU for the past four years and union president Minette Batters said the turnout demonstrated farming’s commitment to conservation.

“I’m delighted that so many farmers responded to this year’s count, despite the disruption of the stormy weather throughout February.

“Although Britain’s farmers are focused on the importance of producing the nation’s food, they are passionate about protecting the countryside,” said Ms Batters.

“The results from the latest Big Farmland Bird Count provide a fantastic snapshot of the huge amount of work being carried out on our farms to encourage wildlife.”

The GWCT’s Roger Draycott echoed the NFU’s viewpoint.

“The Big Farmland Bird Count shows that farmers are not only on the frontline of the country’s ever-more important food security, but also its conservation efforts,” said Dr Draycott.

While participation was slightly down on last year’s record turnout, Dr Draycott said there had been a steady rise in numbers of people taking part since 2014.

“This huge effort, in appalling weather and challenging times for farmers, allows us to build a vital picture of the health of our farmland bird species,” he added.