RSPB: Final call for farmers and volunteers – will you Step Up for Nature in 2012?

The RSPB has today issued a final call to farmers in the West Country who would like a free bird survey of their farms this year.

Last year, the surveys, conducted by a team of over 100 volunteers, produced a “snapshot” of bird life on the region’s farms. Ninety farms, from Gloucestershire to Cornwall, received a free survey in 2011, the highest number in recent years. These surveys are followed by advice about how farmers can manage their farms for wildlife.

Regional Project Officer Felicity Clarke co-ordinates the surveys for the RSPB: “It is such a pleasure to arrange bird surveys for farmers in the region, to find that so many farmers really want to help the wildlife on their farms, and contact us to find out how they can do so while still running their businesses.” These farmers are making a huge step for nature, and we hope that the increased interest shown last year will continue in the coming spring.

“Many farmland birds in the region are doing fine. Three quarters of farms surveyed in 2011 had skylarks and house sparrows and two thirds had linnets and yellowhammers. There are some birds though that do need a helping hand. Only 9% of farms had grey partridge, 8% tree sparrow, 6% yellow wagtail and only one farm had turtle dove. These figures are worrying, but as farmers continue to step up and demand for surveys and advice increases, so does our hope that these numbers can be reversed.

“And although birds like skylark are still abundant, wouldn’t it be fantastic for 100% of farms in the region to be home to this beloved bird?”

Farmers are already registering for this years surveys and new volunteers have been recruited to meet the demand, but the RSPB is today putting out a final call for farmers in south west England. Felicity Clarke: “If you would like a survey, you need to act fast!”

If you are interested in finding out what birds are breeding on your farm, or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer surveyor, please contact Felicity Clarke felicity.clarke@rspb.org.uk or 01392 453774.

The Volunteer and Farmer Alliance is supported through the EU LIFE+ Programme funds which supports wildlife-friendly farming that furthers sustainable development.

For more information and to arrange an interview please contact:

Tony Whitehead, RSPB South West Press Officer 01392 453754, 07872 414365

Additional notes

1. The top five most common birds on south west farms in 2011, as recorded in this survey, were:

Blackbird

Chaffinch

Blue tit

Robin

Swallow