GCT: Partridge conference inspires action to halt decline

An inspiring conference organised by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (formerly The Game Conservancy Trust), which attracted nearly 300 delegates from across the country, showed how the dramatic decline of grey partridges, once one of Britain's most common birds, can be halted

Partridges have suffered an 86% decline in the last 30 years because of habitat loss, a reduction in insect food and an increase in the number of generalist predators such as foxes, crows and stoats.

However, delegates to the conference heard that the bird has made the most astonishing comeback on the Trust's Grey Partridge Recovery Project on farmland at Royston, where their numbers have soared from 20 pairs to 184 pairs in just four years.

Dr Nick Sotherton, director of research with the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust said, "Delegates to the conference have seen the art of the possible. Over the past 30 years the Trust has carried out the science to show why partridges are disappearing, and has come up with solutions to reverse this decline. We have also shown that these techniques work on our partridge recovery project site at Royston. It is now over to all UK landowners, farmers and gamekeepers to apply these recommendations on their own land. It is not difficult, and with a united effort we can easily double the partridge population in the UK over the next few years and thus save this iconic species on the brink."

At the conference, Dr Stephen Tapper, the Trust's director of policy and public affairs, explained the history of partridge decline and said, "The key message is that everyone with an interest in partridges needs to get involved. We have set up grey partridge groups across the country, and people can join a local group. We also need people out there counting partridges, so contact us to join our count scheme and finally, come to us for advice on managing your land for partridges. Applying just a few measures can make a huge difference."

In 1995, the grey partridge faced extinction in much of Britain and so the Government gave the species priority under the UK's Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) process, appointing the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust as lead partner to ensure success. The aim of the plan is to bring the population above 90,000 pairs by 2010 and to increase its current range by 5%.

To ensure the success of the grey partridge recovery process, the Trust as a leading research charity, is dependent on the financial support provided by a number of important business partners, such as Bidwells, who were the principal sponsor of the recent conference, as well as Kings and Oval Insurance.

Ian Monks, Chairman Land & Business with Bidwells, said, "This conference is a clear endorsement of the great work undertaken by the Trust. Conservation does not happen by accident and detailed research is essential if we are to increase the wild gamebird population.

"What is required is profitable agriculture to fund real conservation. If arable farming is about to produce a period of increased profit and a higher status within both the public and political arena then farmers and landowners are beholden to behave responsibly and to communicate their message better than ever before. The Trust had an important role to play in this task and we are pleased to support, not just the grey partridge recovery programme but, all aspects of their work."

For more information on grey partridge recovery, please contact Neville Kingdon on 01425 651066 or visit the Trust's website: www.gct.org.uk

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Photo-caption: The Game & Wildlife Trust's grey partridge conference - Back from the brink - attracted nearly 300 delegates and was heralded as a major success by those attending. Pictured from left - Ian Lindsay, Dr Steve Tapper, Ian Monks (Bidwells), Professor Jon Hutton (guest speaker), Mark Hudson (Trust Chairman), Teresa Dent (Trust Chief Executive), Peter Thompson and Dr Nick Sotherton.

Notes to editors:

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (formerly The Game Conservancy Trust) is an independent wildlife conservation charity which carries out scientific research into Britain's game and wildlife. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats and we lobby for agricultural and conservation policies based on science. We employ 14 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse. For Information, contact: Morag Walker - Head of Media, Telephone - 01425-652381 (direct 01425-651000) Mobile - 07736-124097 www.gct.org.uk
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