Wildlife Conservation

Wild Grey Partridge Recovery Farmland

Grey partridge populations have declined by approximately 90% in the UK since the 1970s. Recovery on demonstration farms shows what is possible with committed agri-environment management.

Key Facts

Grey partridge populations declined by 90% in the UK between 1967 and 2010
Loss of mixed farming, overuse of pesticides and predation are primary drivers
The Grey Partridge Recovery project has achieved ten-fold increases on demonstration farms
Field margins with wild plants supporting insects are essential for chick survival
Predator management and supplementary feeding in winter support recovery programmes

Welfare Considerations

Grey partridge welfare and conservation depend on farming practices that provide insects for chicks, seeds for adults and refuge from predation. The demonstration farm results show that recovery is achievable with sustained commitment.

What You Can Do

Support the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust grey partridge recovery projects
Advocate for agri-environment funding that targets grey partridge habitat requirements
Record grey partridge sightings through BTO surveys to monitor population recovery