Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix)

Associated Species Action Plans Brown hare Skylark Song thrush Tree sparrow Associated Habitat action plans Arable field margins & beetle banks Arable fields Hedgerows Unimproved grasslands

The grey partridge is one of Great Britain's most endangered species, and is serious decline, mainly on open grassland and arable farmland, but also on moorland fringes, heaths and marshes. The British Trust for Ornithology estimates that numbers fell approximately 78% between 1972 and 1996 and the UK population to date is estimated at 150,000 pairs. It is not only in decline in Great Britain but is under threat worldwide. Currently there are no breeding records for Birmingham and the Black Country, with recent sight records from Sutton Park NNR and Walsall Arboretum. Anecdotally, the species seems in severe decline in Birmingham and the Black Country.

• Break in food chain caused by the increased use of insecticides and herbicides, killing the insects that are vital for the young birds diet.
• Vulnerability of young to predators as they have to travel further to find food.
• Intensive farming has led to fewer suitable nesting sites e.g.: hedgerows and other habitats have been destroyed or degraded causing increased predation.
• Population numbers are susceptible to wet weather during late spring which causes death to young.
• Reduction in spring-sown cereals, which cause a loss in winter stubble fields that could be available as a food source.

3.1 Legal status

• Protection in Britain is through the Game Acts. Although shooting of grey partridge can continue, only a maximum of 25% of the population can be shot, but only when the partridge population can sustain it.
• The grey partridge is listed under Appendix III/1 of EC Birds Directive and appendix III of the Bern Convention.

3.2 Management, research and guidance

• The Game Conservancy Trust published an action plan in 1998 for the conservation of this species in the U.K.

ACTION	Potential Deliverers		YEARS							Meets Objective No.
	Lead	Partner	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2011
5.1 Policy and legislation
Make available partridge-friendly farm management systems on a national scale (available in the pilot Arable Stewardship Scheme (funded by MAFF).	MAFF	GCT, FWAG, LO, Farmers								1,2
5.2 Site safeguard and management
Identify key areas where habitats could be improved to provide shelter and nesting cover for grey partridge.	GCT	LAs, LO, Farmers								2
5.3 Species management and protection
Increase chick food by allowing insects (sawflies) time to emerge before crop spraying.		GCT, Farmers, LO								1,2
5.4 Advisory
Support of advisory staff to help farmers & landowners improve wildlife habitats and manage their land in a more environmentally friendly way.	FWAG	GCT								1,2
Increase training for pesticide specialists employed by the agrochemical industry to decrease spraying & target it more effectively.	MAFF	Farmers, LO, Contractors								1,2
Extend the network of self-help groups for farmers & landowners that meet with the Trust to discuss grey partridge restoration plans.	GCT	Farmers, LO, LAs, FWAG, WT								1,2
5.5 Future research and monitoring
Introduce a local monitoring scheme to assess numbers of grey partridge.		GCT, ER, LAs, RSPB, WT, WMBC								1,2
5.6 Communications and publicity
Raise awareness, through production of literature, of the plight of the grey partridge and its salvation	RSPB	ALL								1,2
5.7 Links to other actiion plans
Arable fields, arable field margins and beetle banks, hedgerows, unimproved grassland

This Biodiversity Action Plan will be implemented over 10 years with a first review after 5 years. A group will be set up to co-ordinate implementation and to report to the Biodiversity Steering Group. This group will meet at a minimum on a yearly basis.

Review will be carried out in conjunction with related Habitat and Species Action Plans as appropriate.

Review will consist of measuring achievement of targets. The group will, with the support of the Steering Group, develop and implement appropriate monitoring methods which will inform the review process.

The Action Plan will be revised and updated in the light of review results and any relevant changes in circumstances and/or additional information which becomes available during the review period.

In line with national guidance, the Steering Group will report to the UK Steering Group.

Biodiversity Action Plan for Birmingham and the Black Country © 2000

Printing of this publication for educational purposes is permitted, provided that copies are not made or distributed for commercial gain, and the title of the publication and its date appear. To copy otherwise, or to republish, requires specific permission from the Steering Group.