The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is urging farmers and growers to get involved with the 2024 Big Farmland Bird Count.
Organised by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), the count takes place between February 2-18, 2024 and aims to provide a snapshot of the health of farmland birds.
This year marks the 11th anniversary of the annual survey, which is the first nationwide citizen science project to involve farmers in monitoring the state of farmland songbirds.
The count aims to raise awareness of the important role farmers play in the conservation of farmland birds, and to measure the impact of the conservation work that many farmers and wildlife managers carry out.
NFU president Minette Batters described farmers and growers as “the custodians of the great British Countryside [who] work hard to boost biodiversity, create habitats for wildlife and provide additional feeding for farmland birds”.
“I would encourage as many farmers and growers as possible to participate in the 2024 count, record how many farmland bird species you spot on farm and, importantly, submit your results to GWCT.
“This is always absolutely crucial in pulling together a vital national snapshot of the state of nation when it comes to our farmland birds.”
Big Farmland Bird Count
To take part, farmers should download a count sheet and count birds on one day between February 2-18 and spend around 30 minutes recording the species and number of birds that can be seen on one particular area of their farm.
Once completed, the count results can be submitted online for the GWCT.
Dr Roger Draycott from the GWCT said: “Farmland birds have declined by 63% since 1970 and desperately need our help.
“With 72% of the UK’s land area used for agriculture, the key to increasing biodiversity and reversing the decline in wildlife is held by those looking after this land.”
