COUNTDOWN 2002 - Cheshire region Biodiversity Programme

Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix)

Date compiled - 1997
Date reviewed - 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002

Objective

• To halt the decline, in both numbers and range, by 2005
• Aim to increase the current population by 20% by 2015
• Maintain and where possible enhance the current range of this species
  

Current Status

Having undergone a long term decline since the 1950s, the grey partridge is included in the 'red list' of 'Birds of Conservation Concern' with a population decrease of more than 50% over the last 25 years. As such the grey partridge is considered to be one of the 36 species of birds in the United Kingdom most in need of urgent conservation action. National trend analysis in 'The State of the UK's Birds 2000' survey (RSPB, WWT, BTO) shows a short term decline of 27% and a long term decline of 84%. Within the Cheshire region their numbers are reported as being 'drastically reduced', even at remaining strongholds such as Frodsham Marshes.

The grey partridge is protected under the Game Act (open season; 1st September - 1st February) and is listed in Annex III/I of the EC Birds Directive and Appendix III of the Berne Convention.

Records of grey partridge on the rECOrd database as at 01/12/00 (red = post 1980, black = pre 1980):

Threats

• Reduced availability of chick food supplies, such as caterpillars, plant bugs and beetles, due to increased us of pesticides and herbicides on farmland.
• The switch from spring to autumn crops, resulting in the loss of overwintered stubbles and a consequent reduction in winter food supplies.
• Loss of suitable nest sites, such as hedge bottoms and rough grassland, due to agricultural intensification.
• Decline in numbers of game keeps has increased the vulnerability of nests to predators, especially in a modern farm landscape with limited nesting cover.
• Nest destruction caused by early mowing (i.e. the switch from hay to silage) and other farm machinery operations.
• Increased human disturbance during the breeding season.
  

Current Action

• The Game Conservancy Trust encourages land managers to create suitable conditions for grey partridge, such as nest sites (field margins), chick feeding areas (conservation headlands) and winter foraging sites (stubble fields).
• The MAFF Country side Stewardship Scheme (CSS) provides grant aid for farmers to encourage environmentally sensitive management. A range of options under this scheme (i.e. grass margins, hedge planting) have the potential to benefit grey partridge.
• The introduction of the new arable options into CSS in 2002 will significantly add to the value of this
  scheme in delivering widespread benefits for the grey partridge and other farmland birds.
  
• A project bid for landfill tax monies have been submitted.
  

Action Required

• Increase the provision of information and management advice on grey partridge to land managers.
• Investigate the production and distribution of an advisory pack concerning management for the grey partridge.
• Organise a series of talks on the grey partridge, aimed at farmer clubs and discussion groups.
• Identify farmers/landowners willing to undertake a partridge recover project.
• Establish a demonstration farm, which could be used to highlight beneficial management practices for grey partridge.
• Promote game Conservancy Trust habitat management such as conservation headlands and beetle banks, to increase partridge chick food.
• Encourage the provision of grey partridge nesting and feeding habitat through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
• Encourage the use of the wild bird cover set aside option and other game cover mixes.
• Encourage a more targeted and cautious use of pesticides, as opposed to prophylactic spraying of crops.
• Promote the use of legal predator control and encourage measures to increase the number of game keepers.
• Promote retention of overwintered stubble and encourage the planting of forage crops such as kale in pastoral areas.
• Where appropriate, consider establishing management practices on reserves and local authority owned farms/amenity grassland to benefit the grey partridge.
• Use the grey partridge example in agricultural courses to illustrate the impact intensive farming may have on wildlife.
• Seek sponsorship and grant aid to implement the grey partridge action plan.
• Carry out a distribution survey throughout the Cheshire region by way of a questionnaire to landowners.
• Once complete, analyse the results to identify areas suitable for targeting practical management.
• Form links with the Cereal field margins BAP and the Ancient and/or species-rich Hedgerows BAP.
  

Action Completed

• LBAP Action Group has been formed.
• Links to other farmland Bird BAPs through the generic farmland bird BAP
• Targeting agri - environment schemes at farmland bird hotspots in the region.
• Species recording card for grey partridge produced by Cheshire County Council and Vale Royal Borough Council.
  

Actual LBAP Implementers

RSPB; BTO; CAWOS; CWT; FWAG; Cheshire County Council; PMH Natural History Services.

Other potential implementers

BASC; CLA; SECOS.

Contact

Roy Leigh
Phone: 01606 333296

References

Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society, Cheshire & Wirral Bird Reports
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2:Action Plans, London.
Perkins, A. (1996): Cheshire and Wirral Bird Audit, Cheshire wildlife Trust, unpublished.
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (1994): Species Action Plan 0367: Grey Partridge.

Back to Top