Are you a farmer, ranger, recreation or forest keeper who cares about wildlife conservation? Do you wish to assist monitor and defend the hen species in your land? If so, be a part of the Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC) in 2024.
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As effectively as offering snapshot of the hen inhabitants on UK farms, the annual rely goals to boost consciousness of the essential function that farmers and different land managers play within the conservation of farmland birds.
“Farmland birds have declined by 63% since 1970 and desperately need our help,” defined Dr Roger Draycott, from the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).
“With 72% of the UK’s land area used for agriculture, the key to increasing biodiversity and reversing the decline in wildlife is held by those looking after this land.”
To work out how to do that, you will need to have data from long run initiatives such because the BFBC.
Organised by the GWCT and sponsored by the NFU, the BFBC is the primary UK-wide citizen science undertaking to contain land managers in monitoring the state of farmland birds.
The rely goals to boost consciousness of the essential function they play within the conservation of farmland birds, and to measure the impression of the conservation work that many farmers and wildlife managers perform.
Since 2014, practically 13,000 counts have been carried out. Next 12 months’s would be the eleventh rely. Help us make it the very best one but as we embark on the subsequent 10 years of counting.
NFU president Minette Batters mentioned: “Alongside producing quality, climate-friendly food, our farmers and growers are the custodians of the great British countryside and work hard to boost biodiversity, create habitats for wildlife and provide additional feeding for farmland birds. During this year’s count, 149 species were recorded, including 33 species from the Red List for Birds of Conservation Concern.
“I would encourage as many farmers and growers as possible to participate in the 2024 count, record how many farmland bird species you spot on farm and, importantly, submit your results to GWCT. This is always absolutely crucial in pulling together a vital national snapshot of the state of nation when it comes to our farmland birds.”
Teresa Dent CBE, chief government of the GWCT mentioned: “You can really make a difference by taking part and helping us to understand how our farmland birds are faring.
“By spending just half an hour in one spot on your shoot or farm, counting the birds you see and submitting your results to the GWCT, the results help us build a national picture of which species are benefiting from conservation efforts, and which are most in need of help.”
Signing up for the GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count is free and no specialist data or tools are required. In many locations, native hen and wildlife teams are working with land managers to assist them do the rely.
Find out find out how to get entangled within the GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count, 2-18 February 2024, at www.bfbc.org.uk the place downloadable hen guides are additionally available.
