The Grey Partridge is a bird that has suffered a drastic, if not calamitous fall in numbers over the past 25 years. The population has fallen by over 85% in Britain alone and is also falling in other parts of Europe.
It was once widespread in Britain, but the decline in numbers during the latter part of the 20th century has been astonishing. The cause of this fall in numbers can be linked to a number of factors, all human based. Neglected management and destruction of hedges that give cover to nesting birds, autumn sowing of cereal crops which removes stubble during the winter, the use of insecticides that reduces food levels and of herbicides that kill the plants on which the insects that formed the main diet of the young chicks depended.
The bird is smaller than a pheasant, plump with a small head and short legs. It is well camouflaged, with grey and brown streaky plumage. For most of the year this bird forms flocks that are known as `coveys` and where numbers allow these `coveys` can number up to 16 individuals. They pair up for the breeding season in late winter. If disturbed this bird is very reluctant to fly, instead it crouches down and relies on its camouflage for protection.
The photograph`s above were taken in an area known as Newborough Fen, a few miles from my house in Peterborough and is a reliable place for sightings of this lovely bird.
Sad to read about this bird's decline. Another lovely bird, beautifully photographed. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAll I seem to be able to write about at the moment is the decline in bird numbers. There are some good news stories, just not that many! Thank you Raining Acorns for the kind comment.
ReplyDeleteJ
Hi John Am I right in thinking that there are now schemes in progress to promote the re-introduction of hedgerows into UK farmimg?
ReplyDeleteBazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Hi bazza, I think you are correct, unfortunately, however, this may change as the cuts that this government are making take hold.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with the hedgerow scenario is the fact that farmers were paid to dig up hedges to make their fields larger, it takes a long time to get a hedgerow back to its former glory when re-planted.
J
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteI follow your excellent blog regularly but haven't commented before.
Yes, sadly the Grey are few and far between now.
Hi Roy, thankyou for those kind words about my humble blog.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the Grey will make a comeback, I am not holding my breath though!
J
I didn't realise they were suffering so badly... we're fortunate to have them close by in Newborough. I've seen a few out that way this week as well as 3 little egrets which I also saw a week ago last Sunday (same 3?)... strange how they keep coming back to the same area!
ReplyDeleteHi Dan, thanks for visiting. We are lucky to have a regular site for these lovely birds on our doorstep. I suppose the birds find a good place to feed and keep coming back because they know they will get full stomachs.
ReplyDeleteHope you will visit again!?
J
I absolutely will keep visiting - it was this website that played a huge part in me getting off my backside and going out to look for the waxwings over new years... saw them in Werrington and it was quite brilliant! I was lucky enough to see them make a very brief stop in Gunthorpe earlier this week too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dan, I need all the visitors and followers I can get! The Waxwing display in Werrington earlier this year was quite amazing, I was lucky enough to see 160 of these stunning birds in one place!
ReplyDeleteJ