The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is urging farmers and growers to become involved with the 2024 Big Farmland Bird Count.
Organised by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), the rely takes place between February 2-18, 2024 and goals to supply a snapshot of the well being of farmland birds.
This 12 months marks the eleventh anniversary of the annual survey, which is the primary nationwide citizen science mission to contain farmers in monitoring the state of farmland songbirds.
The rely goals to lift consciousness of the necessary position farmers play within the conservation of farmland birds, and to measure the influence of the conservation work that many farmers and wildlife managers perform.
NFU president Minette Batters described farmers and growers as “the custodians of the great British Countryside [who] work hard to boost biodiversity, create habitats for wildlife and provide additional feeding for farmland birds”.
“I might encourage as many farmers and growers as doable to take part within the 2024 rely, document what number of farmland chicken species you notice on farm and, importantly, submit your outcomes 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.”
Big Farmland Bird Count
To participate, farmers ought to obtain a rely sheet and rely birds on sooner or later between February 2-18 and spend round half-hour recording the species and variety of birds that may be seen on one explicit space of their farm.
Once accomplished, the rely outcomes may be submitted on-line for the GWCT.
Dr Roger Draycott from the GWCT stated: “Farmland birds have declined by 63% since 1970 and desperately want our assist.
“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.”
