Spring grey partridge count under way

Photo by Laurie Campbell

by Nev Kingdon, Partridge Count Scheme Co-ordinator

The 2015 spring count of the Partridge Count Scheme (PCS) gets underway with farmers, gamekeepers and land managers across the country assessing the breeding abundance of wild greys on their land…

Many sites recorded good chick production last autumn and the subsequent increases in national average bird density means we are hopeful about what will be seen this spring.

But we need more farms and shoots to get involved if they have any remaining wild grey partridges. In return, the PCS offers a targeted and effective method for long-term partridge conservation by identifying management factors that can be achieved on the ground.

To get involved with the spring count join the PCS here >

GWCT helping grey partridges...in Slovakia

Our very own Dr. Francis Buner will be sharing his expertise and delivering the keynote speech at a conference in Slovakia where conservation measures for the grey partridge will be discussed.

For those of you who speak Slovakian the flier is below:

You can help conserve the grey partridge today

We have been running the free and voluntary Partridge Count Scheme since 1933 to collect information on the annual abundance and breeding success of grey partridges. If you would like to take part please click here to find out more, we provide everything you need to start counting.

Join our Partridge Count Scheme

Our spring Grey partridge count is currently taking place as we attempt to measure breeding abundance in the UK.

We've been running this voluntary scheme since 1933 to help us assess and improve partridge numbers through effective management and conservation.

Counts help identify what is limiting partridge numbers while success motivates further effort.

Landowners and managers who take part in the count scheme are then able to witness first-hand the outcome of their management in successive counts.

We need your help

We're asking farmers, land managers, landowners, keepers and shoots who want to help conserve their grey partridge to join, count and submit their findings to us.

What we give to help you count and increase partridges numbers

- Forms and instructions on how to count in a standardised and systematic way.
- Site-specific guidance based on your count results.
- A twice-yearly newsletter with research news, advice and local information.
- Regional groups offering talks and discussions with GWCT advisors and scientists.
- Farm visits to see partridge conservation in practice.

Join the scheme online

We hope you'll join the Partridge Count Scheme and help us reverse the decline in Grey partridge numbers.

You can join quickly and easily online >

Spring partridge count about to get underway

Our spring Grey partridge count is about to begin with those who have signed up to our Partridge Count Scheme due to receive their counting forms very shortly.

We've been running this voluntary scheme since 1933 to collect information on the annual abundance and breeding success of grey partridges.

During the spring count we are looking to assess breeding abundance whilst the autumn count measures breeding success.

Already signed up to the scheme?

If you are already signed up to the Partridge Count Scheme please look out for your count forms as they should be hitting your doorstep in the coming week.

Given the saturated ground, access to count may be delayed for a while, so the opportunity to count could be short. But please don’t leave it too late.

We need your support with the count so we can highlight the successful measures employed and provide landowners and managers with further encouragement to strengthen their conservation efforts.

Joining the Partridge Count Scheme

If you are a farmer, landowner, land manager, or keeper who is interested in helping conserve grey partridge please click here to find out more.