Farmers across the country are being reminded to take part in the Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC), which is back for the sixth successive year.
Sponsored by the National Farmers Union, the nationwide ‘citizen science’ project calls on farmers, land managers and gamekeepers to spend 30 minutes spotting species on their patch of land from February 8-17.
Crucially, the results will aim to distinguish which farmland birds are thriving due to good conservation efforts while identifying the ones in need of most help.
NFU president Minette Batters will be bird-spotting on the first day of the count on her Wiltshire farm.
Ms Batters said: “The NFU is extremely pleased to be sponsoring the 2019 GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count.
This event highlights perfectly how farmers balance excellent conservation work on farms across the country alongside producing the nation’s food.
“Over the past four decades, farmers have carried out a huge amount of work to encourage wildlife and are responsible for protecting, maintaining and enhancing 70 per cent of the nation’s iconic countryside.
“I would encourage as many farmers as possible to participate during the event in February as this is crucial in the survival and protection of many farmland bird species.”
Head to www.nfuonline.com to download your count sheet for the BFBC or www.bfbc.org.uk
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