Farming talk: Join farmland bird count and make a difference
I trust that all those who have partaken in the shooting season will have had an enjoyable and positive experience. But if we value our sport, together with the countryside and wildlife, then we must acknowledge the threats from many different areas, writes Tim Main, chairman of the Shropshire branch of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.
The way we can all stand together and make a difference is to take part in the "big farmland bird count". This will be happening between February 7 and 15 when the GWCT is asking farmers to spend about 30 minutes recording the species and number of birds seen on one particular area of the farm.
The count sheet to use in the field is available to download at www.gwct.org.uk
I appreciate for some the idea of counting farmland bird species will appear trivial, but there is nothing that can better promote our cause than real facts and figures. Together we can make a difference.
Farmers can choose their own location but somewhere with a good view of around two hectares of the farm would be ideal. They will be asked to record the types of habitat and cropping on and adjacent to your count site to help provide us with more detail about your count location. To see the highest number of birds we would recommend that the site includes or is close to an area of game or wild seed mix or somewhere that supplementary feeding takes place.
Ideally, counting should take place at first light as this is when the birds are most active. However, it is more important that farmers take part, so timings should suit them.
To assist with the count we have two different count sheets people can download and print. They will then be able to submit their count online or by post.
It was pleasing to see Dr Alistair Leake, director of policy, take The Times to task, regarding their GM debate. Research headed up by Dr Leake has shown that reduced or no ploughing (no-till) can have overwhelming benefits to soil health and crop production. Less soil disturbance means more earthworms and soil fungi and this, in turn, helps to improve soil structure. Importantly carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by employing this system.
Following the success of our last Shropshire Fantasy Shoot prize draw, we have secured a day's shooting for eight guns with a drive each on four shoots. Limited to 250 tickets which are now available at £200, the intention is to raise £40,000 for the GWCT research work, plus £10,000 for local charities.
