Grey Partridge News Winterspring 2014.Indd

Grey partridge News Issue 20: Spring 2014

Introduction Inside this issue:

I ended my introduction to the last newsletter, which covered the appallingly wet summer Page 1... of 2012, with: “Finally, let us all collectively hope for a ‘normal’ summer this year, without Introduction massive extremes of weather.” It appears that I was pushing my luck once again. Page 2-3... The spring and early summer of 2013 was unbelievably cold so coveys stayed together Partridge course; Ireland bucking much longer than usual and many relied on feed hoppers because much of the natural the trend; Demonstrating recovery food had gone. New sources of food in the form of fresh plant growth and early seeding in Scotland meadow grass and chickweed, along with emerging insects, just did not appear. Page 4-5... Many bird species put breeding on hold, so that nesting was delayed between a month The Partridge Count Scheme; to six weeks later than usual. But from talking to keepers around the country, most felt that Big Farmland Bird Count grey partridges started laying about the same time as usual. Page 6... Peak hatch time is around the middle of June (a little later the further north you are) Controlling rats and as broods hatched, they had to contend with cold, wet conditions, with hard frosts at Page 7-8... night. But most damaging was the almost complete lack of insects present, which resulted The word on the ground; in the vast majority of these chicks perishing due to starvation. Group news; Contacts. The weather suddenly turned to a wonderfully warm summer right at the end of June. There was hawthorn (called May as that is the month it usually blossoms in) in full flower at the end of June, while spring butterflies such as orange tip flew with summer species like the meadow brown. Most importantly for the later hatching broods of grey partridges, insect abundance exploded. It is such a shame that most greys couldn’t delay nesting like Correction many other bird species, because if they had done so, the chicks that hatched in the last In a previous newsletter (issue 16) we few days of June and into July enjoyed warm sunny weather, mild nights and abundant gave the incorrect dimensions (7.5x7.5cm insect life. or 3 inch) for mesh to use around a Luckily this change in conditions, turned what was rapidly looking like another feed hopper to allow access for grey disastrous breeding season into a season that could be described as ‘a bit below average’ – partridges. If you use 10x10cm (4 inch) obviously with regional variations. Looking ahead to 2014 – I’m not going to say a word. diameter wire netting it is sufficiently large to allow your partridges access to Peter Thompson the hopper, but can also deter pigeons and rooks.

Peter Thompson is our biodiversity advisor and an expert on farmland habitat and wildlife. He was a ﬁ nalist in the 2013 Farmers Weekly advisor awards.

Special thanks to all those individuals, gamekeepers, landowners and estates, who have contributed to the Partridge Count Scheme. Get your friends and families to join at www.gwct.org.uk/pcs

Kindly sponsored by www.gwct.org.uk 1 Family groups should be released near Parent-reared grey partridges holding and escape cover, such as a rape field should be favoured for fostering chicks. next to a hedge.

Courses Ensuring your re-introduction is a success

Successfully re-establishing run by our scientists and habitat requirements, 2014 Courses populations of grey partridges advisors in 2013. Further predation control, gamebird Monday 3 March - 9.30am-3pm to areas where they have events will be held in 2014 health, different types of Whitburgh Estate, Pathhead, Midlothian. gone extinct or are present in Scotland, northern England rearing and releasing methods Tuesday 4 March - Clune and in only very low numbers and the Midlands. Based on and advice on when each Corrybrough Estate, Tomatin, can be a very tricky business sound science and practical type is appropriate. Feedback Inverness-shire. and often ends in failure. experience, we run these from these courses has been October (date tbc) Scotch Corner Effective and appropriate courses in conjunction with very positive and if you are rearing and releasing Perdix Wildlife Supplies, who considering releasing grey Go to www.gwct.org.uk/courses for methods, comprehensive have technical expertise partridges for conservation more information and to book. habitat management and a in rearing grey partridges purposes, we strongly targeted predation control specifically for re-introduction recommend booking a place. programme are all high projects. The day consists Contact Lynda Ferguson on priorities when considering of a combination of indoor 01425 651013 to book a re-introducing greys. These talks and outdoor practical place or go to www.gwct. were the key messages at sessions covering all aspects org.uk/courses for two popular one-day courses of grey partridge biology, more information.

Dublin Ireland bucking the trend

The North Dublin grey partridge project has been created, and cereal and kale strips broods successfully reared. When we visited covers three farms, totalling about 1,000 have been planted alongside them. These we were treated to a lovely covey of 12 acres. It is organised by the Irish Grey strips are left for two years to provide food birds bursting out of cover, flying away over Partridge Conservation Trust, working and cover throughout the year. a tall hedge, the sunlight picking out their alongside local biodiversity officers who are Supplementary hopper feeding and heart-shaped brown chests as they turned. also funding the project. areas of wild bird seed mixes are also Another project in Boora, County Offaly, Because grey partridges have been used, while a targeted spring and summer is also a huge success with grey partridges completely lost from most of Ireland, lots predator control programme has been put doing very well. What is equally important of habitat restoration has had to be put in place to limit numbers of foxes, crows, is that the local breeding population of in place prior to releasing grey partridges magpies and ground predators such as rats. lapwing (which has all but disappeared back into the area. Plenty of good nesting The project has already had some from Ireland too) is thriving on the back cover in the form of tussocky grass margins success with breeding taking place and of the project. 2013 was exceptional with 81 lapwing nests producing 178 fledged The Irish grey partridge group. chicks, on just 694 acres. Not bad for a bird which had previously been almost lost as a breeding species in the country. Well done to Kieran Buckley and his team from the Irish Grey Partridge Conservation Trust, and also the Irish Government for the vital funding they are giving to these projects. Not only are they saving the grey partridge, but lapwing and skylark numbers are going through the roof too.

Peter Thompson is our biodiversity advisor and an expert on farmland habitat and wildlife. He has been advising the Irish team on the best habitats for grey partridges.

2 Post-breeding density in 2013 was 11 birds per 100 hectares compared with eight in 2012 at our Scottish Grey Partridge Demonstration Project.

Demonstration project Demonstrating recovery in Scotland

Our Scottish Grey Partridge Demonstration Project is now in its third year and we have been working closely with the team at Whitburgh Farms in Midlothian. Previous management on the site has focused primarily on encouraging grey partridges, so this provides us with a great opportunity to demonstrate to practitioners and

“...a great opportunity to Whitburgh habitat; L-R: Graham Rankin (keeper), Alastair Salvesen (owner), Paul Wheelhouse MSP (Minister for demonstrate the require- Environment and Climate Change) and Dave Parish (GWCT senior scientist). ments of grey partridges upshot was that the density of spring pairs As part of our policy work we have and some of the challenges on the main study areas declined by 92% hosted some visitors from Holyrood, namely that managers face. to just one pair in 2013. Interestingly it Paul Wheelhouse, the Scottish Government’s ” seems that songbirds were also affected by Minister for Environment and Climate the bad weather and showed declines. This Change, Hugh Dignon, Head of Natural policy makers the requirements of grey meant that we were unable to radio-tag Resources at the Scottish Government partridges and some of the challenges that any grey partridges last year. Fortunately and Tom Edwards, Senior Rural Affairs managers face. there are several pairs elsewhere on site. Researcher for the Scottish Parliament. 2012 began well with a reasonably Post-breeding density in 2013 was 11 birds These occasions gave us the chance to raise successful lamping period in March where per 100 hectares compared with eight a wide range of issues from weed problems we radio-tagged 13 hens. However, we in 2012, so we are hopeful of a modest in headlands and raptor predation to rural experienced a very poor spell of weather increase in numbers of spring pairs in 2014. employment. In the summer we held a farm around the key nesting and chick-rearing We are now focusing our monitoring walk in glorious sunshine, enjoyed by more period resulting in very few broods. This activities on songbirds and raptors. We than 30 local farmers. We also showed seemed to be exacerbated by a very high are looking at how the songbirds use the Anthony McCluskey of the Bumblebee predation rate on the adults. All of the 11 various habitats provided, which will Conservation Trust the work we are doing tagged hens that remained on site were include a large-scale assessment of how and we are hoping to collaborate on some found dead with signs of being eaten by breeding success might be affected next future projects. raptors. Whether this high predation rate year, and we are trying to accurately census is typical or was only connected with the raptors on the site and locate nests across bad weather remains to be seen, but the the landscape. In focus at Whitburgh

Dave Parish and Hugo Straker discussing one of the triticale-mix headlands. These crops, either triticale This project will look at: or brassica mix, are on nearly every field headland. Grey partridge population dynamics and habitat use. Raptor population dynamics and habitat use. The effect of grey partridge management on songbirds. Brown hare abundance. Invertebrate abundance.

Dave Parish is our senior scientist focusing on lowland research in Scotland. An expert in songbird research he is working to help grey partridge recovery in Scotland.

3 species of birds were recorded in the increase in the autumn Big Farmland Bird Count pilot scheme. density of grey partridges This annual count aims to highlight the from 2012 to 2013. 26% 69 work of farmers and gamekeepers.

Counts Partridge Count Scheme The results of the 2013 autumn partridge “Scotland saw the greatest counts from participants of the Partridge Count Scheme (PCS) are summarised in rise in productivity, Table 1. We are again extremely grateful to everyone who took part and submitted recording a 2.5-fold their findings. improvement from its Following the disastrous 2012 breeding season we were hoping for a good Sawflies are an important chick food insect. Young-to-Old in 2012” summer so that grey partridge numbers could start to recover. The persistent cold temperatures during April and May effectively stalled chick-food insect 13.4 birds per 100 ha in autumn 2012), emergence across many areas, reducing an increase of 26% nationally. The greatest Last summer’s broods suffered from a lack of chick essential food for newly-hatched chicks in density increases were recorded in Scotland food insects due to the cold spring, highlighting the June. Luckily July’s mini-heat wave did result and northern England, but all regions importance of insect-rich, brood-rearing habitats. in higher numbers of chick-food insects. recorded increases. This is reassuring and Several comments from PCS members sent is a positive start to recovering breeding in with their autumn counts suggested that bird numbers to the highs that the PCS second or late clutches, produced broods recorded in spring 2012, before the abysmal which were able to exploit the late insect summer of 2012. emergence in July and August. Overall productivity, measured as The PCS received 639 autumn counts young-to-old ratio (Y:O), averaged 2.5 in 2013, 7% fewer than autumn 2012 (see young birds per adult. This is double the Table 1), covering an area of 188,200 2012 value and above the 10-year average hectares (ha) (465,000 acres). Despite a of 2.3 Y:O. All regions except the south 9% reduction in the area counted in the exceeded 1.6 Y:O, the level required to autumn of 2012 (206,000 ha), the total maintain a stable population. Scotland saw number of partridges recorded increased the greatest rise in productivity, recording by 2,800 (+11%) to 27,700 birds. As a a 2.5-fold improvement from its Y:O in result the autumn bird densities reached 2012 (when no region achieved 1.6 Y:O). an average 16.9 birds per 100 ha (up from Scotland also recorded the highest average

Table 1 Results from the Partridge Count Scheme for autumn 2012 and 2013

Region Number of sites* Young-to-old ratio** Autumn density*** Percentage increase (birds per 100ha) between years

2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 South 115 103 1.2 1.5 6.8 8.6 26% Eastern 195 160 1.3 2.4 19.3 22.3 16% Midlands 132 121 1.1 2.4 11.4 14.7 29% Wales 0 0 - - - - - Northern 177 166 1.0 2.7 14.6 21.3 46% Scotland 70 89 1.3 3.2 8.8 11.7 32% Overall 689 639 1.2 2.5 13.4 16.9 26%

* The number that returned any information, even zero counts. ** Calculated from estates where at least one adult grey partridge was recorded. *** From those estates that reported the area they had counted.

4 Send in your counts

With your help we can continue to monitor the grey partridge situation and provide appropriate advice. brood size of nearly eight young per brood. Brood sizes decreased the further south you went in the UK, with the southern region averaging five young per brood. Scotland’s improved productivity may have benefited from above-average maximum daily temperatures during June, giving a boost to insects and broods. Brood-rearing habitat that encourages chick food insects are vital for chicks to survive. The summer of 2013 was certainly an improvement on 2012. Although Favourites’ which can be downloaded from productivity was again affected by adverse www.gwct.org.uk/pcsdownloads Help expand the PCS weather, there was less of an effect on This spring we look forward to finding brood mortality, with late or second out how the birds have fared following The PCS is looking for more farms, clutches surviving well. Thankfully, many PCS a winter of wind and rain and whether shoots and estates to get involved and participants had brood-rearing habitats in there are enough birds around to breed count their partridges. If you know of place to produce chick-food insects when successfully. Please send in your counts so someone with farmland, be it neighbours, weather conditions improved. that we can get the full picture. Hopefully we friends or family, please encourage them We hope that everyone (not just those will see another step forward. to help the grey partridge by joining the involved in the PCS) appreciates how PCS. Monitoring the ups and downs of critical protein-rich chick-food insects are at For targeted advice on how to improve populations and knowing where to make the time of hatching. Grey partridge chicks your insect-rich brood-rearing habitat necessary improvements will help boost need insects for a very limited period, a tiny please contact Peter Thompson on our wild grey partridges. Every one counts. part of the partridge life-cycle; however, it is 01425 651013. Go to www.gwct.org.uk/partridge or a crucial period that requires brood-rearing contact Neville Kingdon at habitats, thinner weedier headlands etc. to [email protected] or call Neville Kingdon is our Par- be established to produce sufficient insects tridge Count Scheme Co-ordinator 01425 651066. (even if the benefits are late). Find out who collates all the count data to more by reading our Partridge factsheet 3 provide an overall outlook on how – Brood-rearing habitats’ and ‘Chick-food grey partridges are faring.

Counting Farmland birds need you to show they count

Last year we launched the Big Farmland particular area of the farm. A pilot scheme Bird Count to highlight much of the good last year took in more than 10,000 hectares work done by farmers and gamekeepers across 30 farms and recorded 69 species, to help reverse farmland bird declines. As from tree sparrows and yellowhammers to much of this work goes unrecorded, we barn owls, kestrels and buzzards. want to remedy that and help farmers This is an annual count so please make a and gamekeepers record the effect of note in your diary to download count forms any conservation schemes currently for next February and take the opportunity being initiated on their land such as to highlight the important work you are supplementary feeding or growing wild bird doing on your land for farmland birds. seed and game cover crops. See www.gwct.org.uk/bfbc for The count took place at the beginning of more information. February and we were delighted that more than 900 farmers took part. Participants Our annual Big Farmland Bird Count aims to highlight spent about 30 minutes recording the the important work by farmers and gamekeepers to species and number of birds seen on one help reverse farmland bird declines.

5 Setting traps on well-established Dispose of dead rats care- rat runs has proved to be Top tip fully, preferably by burial or incineration, very successful. to avoid attracting scavengers.

Trapping Helping to control rat populations

Rats will kill adult grey partridges on the nest, as well as taking their eggs and chicks, so they should be controlled at every opportunity. Although traditional tunnel traps set to catch rats living around buildings, feed hoppers or along hedgerows are a valuable form of control, the system is most effective if tunnels are well-established prior to rats moving into that environment. Rats are well-known for avoiding anything new. We call this aversive behaviour neophobia, and it can restrict the effectiveness of traps when an infestation occurs. Not only will rats avoid novel trap- baits, but newly established trap sites too. So, what’s the best method of trapping rats if they become established in and Using BMI Bodygrip Magnum traps on well established runs proved to be very effective at catching rats. around seed-rich covers like un-harvested headlands and wild bird seed mixes, grown species, plus mink and rabbits. Under the should be fastened to a separate, secure for the benefit of grey partridges and other ‘Conditions of use’ for Magnum traps, the anchor stake to prevent a captured rat farmland birds? Order states that: ‘the trap must be set in a being dragged away. Purpose-made mesh Like rats, rural foxes are notoriously natural or artificial tunnel which is, in either tunnels for Magnum traps are available neophobic, and very difficult to catch in case, suitable for the purpose’. I prefer the online, or can be fabricated easily from a baited traps. Snares on the other hand are 116 version, as it covers all the species that sheet of weld-mesh. very effective against foxes. Snares are set I’m likely to target, and the more powerful The beauty of this low-cost trapping on trails or runs, and are designed to catch and longer spring provides better leverage system is its portability, and countering the fox completely unawares. However, when setting the trap. of a rat’s natural neophobia. Traps can be a snare will only catch a fox if it remains Magnum traps consist of a pair of moved easily and set quickly, wherever undetected. Therefore a similar system rotating jaws, powered by a strong side- rat runs are discovered. Because of their should work well for rats, but instead of handle spring. The trap is set in an upright keen olfactory senses, it’s important to trying to set purpose-made rat snares, I’d position, and triggered by slight movement keep foreign odours from contaminating use ‘body-grip’ traps set on well-established of flexible downward-hanging wire traps, tunnels and excluder pegs, to rat-runs. I found this system to be very ‘whiskers’. Using Magnum traps on rat-runs, minimise the risk of rats detecting, and then effective during exploratory research on these whiskers are positioned to frame the avoiding trap-sets. For protection against tunnel trap designs, and started catching run. As the rat scuttles along, it brushes rat-borne diseases and to reduce human rats from the moment traps were set. . through the whiskers and triggers the trap. scent-transfer to traps, always wear non- BMI ‘Bodygrip’ Magnum trap have never The powerful trap-jaws typically strike the absorbent gloves when removing dead rats, really gained favour with gamekeepers, rat across the head, neck or chest resulting and when re-setting traps. Inspect traps at which is surprising because they’re very in a rapid and humane kill. least once a day and do not throw dead simple to use. What’s more, they’re versatile, To meet the legal requirement, the trap rats away carelessly. Aside from the possible lightweight, and widely available and cost is housed in a lightweight wire-mesh tunnel health hazard, you’ll encourage scavengers less than £10 per unit, which puts them which serves also to support the trap in an like foxes, buzzards and ravens, so dispose in a similar league to Fenn-type traps, only upright position on the rat run. I hammer of dead rats carefully, preferably by burial with distinct welfare advantages. Three a pair of 250mm long hook end metal or incineration. Magnum traps are widely types of Magnum trap are approved for tent pegs into the ground centrally, and available online or contact The Magnum use in the UK: the Magnum 55, Magnum approximately 5cm apart, in front of both Trap Company on 02380 585421. 110 and Magnum 116. Under the Spring entrances, to minimise non-target captures. Traps Approval (England) Order 2012, and However, because the trap is set on a well- its equivalents elsewhere, all three models worn rat run in the first place, the system Mike Short works in our are approved for mice and rats. The 110 already has inherent selectivity advantages. predation research team and plays a is also approved for weasels, stoats and The hook ends of the tent pegs are key-role in improving predator and grey squirrels. The slightly more powerful positioned over the roof-mesh to secure pest control methods and strategies. 116 model is approved for all of these the tunnel to the ground. The trap chain

6 Poor growing conditions meant that natural partridge food was in short supply at the start of the summer.

Your views The word on the ground

Northumberland - George Farr same level before summer 2012. Insect insect numbers. All in all an average year but Conditions in the north of England were numbers have been disappointing for a enough for us to have two days shooting. ‘patchy’ – if a hen partridge could find a couple of years now so we really need a pocket of insects then her brood prospered, good summer in 2014. Berkshire - David Wiggins, Englefield Estate but more often than not, there were few Unfortunately 2013 was not the recovery insects at hatching time and average brood Bedfordshire - Simon Maudlin year we hoped for following the decline size suffered. The winter dragged on, setting The spring was looking promising with of 2012. Early brood survival rates were nature’s clock back at least two weeks. many broods expected and successful poor probably due to the lack of insects. You could argue that the greys were not vermin control. Unfortunately the cold spell Later broods towards the end of July fared in good condition after a wet summer and lack of insects brought our average better with increased chick survival. One and a bitter late winter, which may have autumn brood size down to 9.25. Only area suffered from a late rat outbreak accounted for the number of barren pairs. two-thirds of our pairs produced a brood, due to the previous cropping (maize) Natural food in the wild bird covers was hatching mainly late July and early August. which virtually wiped out all production. in short supply due to the poor growing The remaining pairs were left barren. This shows that good habitat has to be conditions and even though we hopper backed up with thorough predator control. feed just about all year round, most hens Sussex - Charlie Mellor, Arundel Estate On a brighter note, hen survival over the were not prepared to lay again. Of the 26 The year started cold with lots of snow, nesting period was above average – a 20% spring pairs, we only yielded 63 young. which helped with disease and also meant increase on the previous autumn. that the grey partridges stayed in coveys Norfolk - Fraser Tomsett, Gayton Estate longer. It didn’t warm up properly until late Do you run a shoot? Would you like to Low insect numbers early on resulted June/July which meant that insect numbers compare your performance against similar in low brood sizes but there were some peaked later than usual leading to small shoots? If so please go to www.smithsgore. reasonable late broods. We are not early broods. The broods hatched in late co.uk/publications to download the shooting again until numbers return to the June thrived, as it then stayed fine with good 2013-14 Shoot Benchmarking Survey.

News from around the regions North Defence from poor weather a relative newcomer to the PCS, but Stuart Two of the northern trophies were Stark is already demonstrating the benefits awarded to previous winners (Durham & of the ‘investment’ he has made in providing Northern Dales to the Cliffe Estate and good habitat supported by supplementary Northumberland to Pallinsburn) highlighting feeding and predator control. that some ‘defence’ can be provided The Cumbria & North Lancashire group against difficult weather through long-term trophy was awarded to John Harrison of investment in good-quality habitat provision Round Hill near Silloth, for his desire to (and other management). The Yorkshire increase the support he provides for grey After a cold spring, poor crop growth meant that weren’t trophy was awarded to Fridlington Farms partridges. Round Hill is a mixed dairy, enough insects available for grey partridge chicks. beef and arable unit with a Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme providing wild Also a big thank you to our sponsors, Savills in bird seed mixes, over-winter stubbles, low- Yorkshire and GSC Grays in the North-East, input cereals and wetting-up options for and also to Kings Game and Conservation the breeding waders. Judge, John Bowman Crops who kindly supported the Cumbria of Natural England said: “John is proof that and North Lancashire group meeting. 2013 intensive farming and conservation can was a mixed year in the north with the work together. Through his HLS scheme long cold spring causing issues with crop he is providing year-round habitat for grey growth and insect availability at the start of partridges and other birds, along with raised the breeding season. However, overall it was water levels targeted for breeding waders.” better than 2012 and following better-than- (L-R) Stuart Stark receives the Yorkshire Grey Partridge Group meetings were well attended so expected over-winter survival, should continue Trophy from Paul Ainscough, Savills. thank you to all those who supported them. the population recovery from the 2012 lows.

7 Unharvested cereal headlands with feeders provide extra food and cover for grey partridges. Group news continued Wessex East Anglia Team players strike a conservation success Law triumphs in East Anglia The Cranborne Estate was the winner The 2013 East Anglian Grey Partridge of the Wessex Grey Partridge trophy last Award was won by Robert Law’s year. The estate team has put in place a Conservation Grade Farm in Royston. The programme of measures which combine award was presented by Hugo Johnsen together to support grey partridges from CastleAcre, trophy sponsor, to Robert (and many other farmland bird species) and shoot manager Jimmie Laing. Hugo throughout their life cycle. These include commented that: “Robert understands improved hedgerow management, grass the advantage of preserving some of margins, beetle banks and insect-rich (L-R) Mike Swan (GWCT advisor) presenting the Wessex his farmland for wildlife and has been a brood strips to provide food for chicks. trophy to Viscount Cranborne and his estate team. passionate advocate of native British species, There is also abundant winter escape successfully undertaking a number of cover, large areas of wild just a few pairs to a total of 34 pairs inspiring conservation programmes on his bird seed mixes and a Cranborne’s in 2012. Sadly the dire summer 1,200 hectare farm – he is a very deserving generous winter and of 2012 saw very few chicks winner of this year’s grey partridge trophy.” spring supplementary habitat surviving, and resulted in a feeding programme. Hedgerow management reduction to 18 pairs in the (L-R) Roger Draycott, The Dingemans family (runners All of this has been Insect-rich brood strips spring of 2013. Despite this up), Jimmie Laing, Hugo Johnsen, Robert Law (winner). coupled with targeted Winter escape cover halving of the pair count, there predation control to Wild bird seed mixes were many more partridges maximise the number Beetle banks to be seen this autumn than of pairs that successfully Grass margins last year, and we can anticipate rear their young. This has continued population growth from resulted in an increase from here on.

Scotland

Top of the Borders with our farmland conservation but this Marchmont Farms, Berwickshire was award will encourage us to do more.” awarded the Borders Grey Partridge For more information on our grey Trophy in August, kindly sponsored by partridge research and further copies Wallace of Kelso. They were commended of this newsletter, please contact: for their outstanding effort boosting many farmland birds as well as grey partridges. Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Owner, Oliver Burge, said: “We are thrilled Fordingbridge,Hampshire, SP6 1EF to receive this prestigious award. Not only Tel: 01425 652381 has Graham MacLaughlan’s keepering Email: [email protected] efforts and habitat management helped Marchmont’s population of wild grey www.gwct.org.uk partridges, but also our wide variety of (L-R) Winners of the Borders trophy – Graham Registered charity no. 1112023 farmland songbirds. We have worked hard MacLaughlan (gamekeeper) and Oliver Burge (owner).