FARMERS and landowners are being urged to take part in this year's Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC). 

Last year, around 1,700 farms took part in the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust's (GWCT) count. There were more than 460,000 birds of 149 different species, recorded across 1.5million acres of farmland. 

The GWCT BFBC runs from February 2 until 18 2024. 

Bird expert and volunteer counter, Andrew Goodall, said pointing out birds to farming families is 'so rewarding'. 

"Building friendships with the farmers and their families is great and having an open door - or field - to return any time to birdwatch is priceless," he added. 

“In addition to obviously being out walking in the fresh air - which is good for the soul - and watching and counting the farmland birdlife, it is great when you are able to inform a farmer what has been identified on their farm.

“Recently within the cluster we have recorded white-tailed sea eagle - a Dutch ringed bird, hen harrier, plus lots of grey partridge, linnet and yellowhammer. Even turtle dove is still breeding on some of the farms.

“You know you have really achieved something fantastic when farmers have recorded birds calling or singing on their farms and sent the recordings to you, either to ask for help with identification, or to proudly let you know what they have found on the land.

“I would recommend birders contact their local farmers and at least ask if they would be willing to allow them to take part in BFBC, or indeed any other organised bird surveys.

“Farmers, please contact your local county bird recorder who can put you in touch with birders who would welcome the opportunity to count birds on your farms.”

Last year, Andrew was busy helping a dozen different farms, all part of the High Suffolk farm cluster, take part in the count. Alongside Patrick Barker, the pair cover many different farms in the area. 

“I have been recording on three or four of our farms for the past 10 years," Patrick said.

"Now with Andrew’s help we are covering three or four times as many farms.

“It’s a win-win situation for both parties – Andrew loves seeing and recording the birds while we farmers get a snapshot the biodiversity on our land. It also helps us understand and evaluate where and how our conservation efforts are paying off.

“It is also great to have an overview of what birds, including those rare and threatened species, are spotted across the cluster.”

The BFBC is free and you can register here. You can also sign up to a free webinar that will provide information about the count.

GWCT has issued some advice on how to encourage biodiversity on your farm: 

  • Create conservation headlands (wide field margins where little or not pesticides are used)
  • Allow broad-leaved weeds to flourish, as these are a key food source 
  • Plant and manage hedgerows 
  • Maintain small wet areas around the farm to attract wading birds 
  • Leave an area of uncropped, cultivated land