The Cotswold Water Park isn’t just one vast expanse of water; around the fringes and between the main areas of gravel extraction plenty of farmland still exists.
Many farmland birds have declined drastically since the mid twentieth century, with the list including our native partridge species; the Grey Partridge. They have completely vanished from many areas but can still be found around ours – despite their population having decreased across Europe by 94% since 1980. In the UK the main decline was between 1950 and 1970, but surveys have shown a further fall of 62% over the last 25 years.
They are a ground loving bird, it is highly unlikely that you will see one perched in a Pear Tree, even around Christmas! (And the 2 Turtle Doves are likely to be missing too, their UK population is down 96% in the last 25 years).
So why are they in trouble? Intensified agriculture is the main reason; extensive use of pesticides brings obvious problems to any bird which eats insects – and Grey Partridge chicks are fed entirely on insects. The adults eat them too, though much of their diet involves seeds and leaves. An increase in the number of organic farms will have helped some to prosper, as will the more recent ‘Environmental Stewardship’ type subsidies/schemes (most farmers like Grey Partridges and are pleased to have them on their land). There is also a suggestion that the vast numbers of (non-native) Pheasants and Red-legged Partridges, which are released for shooting, out-compete Grey Partridges for the available food. With some of the Greys also being accidentally shot, when mis-identified as Red Legged during organised shoots.
If you want to see Grey Partridges, scanning ploughed fields or low crops is your best chance. Look carefully, binoculars will help, their plumage provides extremely good camouflage. For much of the year they will be in family parties, coveys, so if you see a group of appropriately sized lumps in a field, stop and check – it just might be our native Partridges.
Kim Milsom, Biodiversity Field Officer, Cotswold Lakes Trust