Hi folks,
Whilst I haven't been in the UK for a while, I'm presuming that the decline of farmland birds is still one of the primary concerns of the RSPB, other conservation organisations and birders generally.
Given the amount of money that is channelled into on-farm conservation efforts via grant schemes, such as Countryside Stewardship, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and the (relatively)new Arable Stewardship options, has anybody noticed an increase in declining farmland birds (grey partridge, yellowhammer, linnet, tree sparrow, lapwing, etc, etc,) in an area where such management schemes are being implemented?
I'm supposing that the RSPB's voluntary farmland bird surveys are partially intended to monitor the situation, but am interested in hearing any anecdotal evidence that forum members may have.
Cheers,
Whilst I haven't been in the UK for a while, I'm presuming that the decline of farmland birds is still one of the primary concerns of the RSPB, other conservation organisations and birders generally.
Given the amount of money that is channelled into on-farm conservation efforts via grant schemes, such as Countryside Stewardship, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and the (relatively)new Arable Stewardship options, has anybody noticed an increase in declining farmland birds (grey partridge, yellowhammer, linnet, tree sparrow, lapwing, etc, etc,) in an area where such management schemes are being implemented?
I'm supposing that the RSPB's voluntary farmland bird surveys are partially intended to monitor the situation, but am interested in hearing any anecdotal evidence that forum members may have.
Cheers,