The second annual Big Farmland Bird Count will take place between 7th and 15th February 2015 with several bird ID days in January. Subscribe to this blog for the latest count news and results.
Wednesday 26 February 2014
An update on the Big Farmland Bird Count
We'd like to thank you all.
Right now we're busy collating the count results as they're still coming in online and by post. We hope to be able to announce the results in March.
If you would like to get the results delivered right to your inbox please register your interest here.
Friday 14 February 2014
Voting now open in BFBC Photo Competition
View photos and vote >
Monday 10 February 2014
BFBC: Please submit your results
As you know, the main objective of the count, other than to determine how our farmland bird species are faring, was to highlight the good conservation work being undertaken on farmland around the country.
Now we need to gather the results as quickly as possible so we can start reporting the findings whilst we have momentum. If you took part in the count please can you submit your results online.
Submit your results >
Friday 7 February 2014
Your latest BFBC Tweets
@Gameandwildlife Just submitted our results online for the #BFBC Grey Partridge, Linnet, Reed Bunting & Yellowhammer & more!
— Keith Davidson (@keithjdavidson) February 7, 2014
Belle not amused at being asked to 'sit this one out' whilst shepherd goes off to take part in #BFBC @Gameandwildlife pic.twitter.com/fRQVYpqiDA
— Camilla and Roly (@CamillaandRoly) February 6, 2014
Great pic of legions of linnets over @handles4forks's #bird seed plots. Last day of #BFBC tmrw http://t.co/SX4B4Hxjgu @Gameandwildlife
— Rob Yorke (@blackgull) February 6, 2014
@Gameandwildlife 21 species on Elm Farm in Big Farmland Bird Count. Mostly rooks, also mistlethrush, yellowhammer, skylark + LOTS of pigeon!
— ORC (@OrgResCent) February 6, 2014
@Gameandwildlife Big Bird Count 2014 went well, 23 species identified
— Amelia Trust Farm (@AmeliaTrustFarm) February 6, 2014
Big Farmland Bird Count to be featured on Countryfile
We're delighted to announce that the Big Farmland Bird Count is to be featured in a forthcoming episode of the BBC's hugely popular Countryfile TV programme.
Due to be broadcast in March, the episode will feature interviews with farmers who took part in the count as well as details about the results.
Have you counted yet?
If so please submit your results online >
Thursday 6 February 2014
Reminder: Big Farmland Bird Count ends on Friday 7th February
Once again we'd like to say a big thank you for taking an interest in this important new initiative - it has truly captured the imagination of politicians, the public and the media. It is also demonstrating the wide range of conservation work undertaken by farmers to help farmland wildlife.
As you know, we're asking you to spend about 30 minutes recording the species and number of birds seen on one particular area of the farm, ideally somewhere with a good view of around 2 ha of the farm.
GOT EVERYTHING YOU NEED?
If you're planning to submit your count results online all you need is this simple ticksheet to record which species you see.
Once you've completed your count you can submit your results online here.
If you're going to be returning your results by post you'll need to download the full count sheet here.
SUBMITTING YOUR COUNT RESULTS
We've made it as straightforward as possible for you to tell us your count findings. You can quickly and easily submit your results online or send them to us by post. We'll send you another email on 10th February to remind you.
ENTER OUR PHOTO COMPETITION
Don't forget you can win 2ha of wild seed mix and an advisory visit or an iPad Mini by entering our photo competition.
Simply take a photo within the area of the farm where you are counting and email it to rbeeson@gwct.org.uk or tweet us at @gameandwildlife. We will then publish the 10 best photos on our Big Farmland Bird Count blog and visitors will be able to vote for their favourite.
DO YOU NEED ANY HELP?
If you need any help with downloading the count sheets or submitting your results online please email rbeeson@gwct.org.uk or call 01425 651011.
Latest BFBC Photos - keep them coming!
Wednesday 5 February 2014
A selection of your latest BFBC Tweets
Just sent @Gameandwildlife #BFBC results. 15 species. Was wondering why it was a bit quiet & then #Peregrine landed in tree. Forgot camera!
— David (@WoldFarmer) February 4, 2014
Just completed the Big Farmland Bird Count, 15 species recorded here in half an hour. Nice day for it, yellowhammers star of the show #BFBC
— Andy Roberts (@handles4forks) February 4, 2014
Just submitted my results to @Gameandwildlife #BFBC included 86 Corn buntings and 5 Tree Sparrows :-) missed Grey Partridge tho :-(
— Steve Dudley (@stevedudley_) February 4, 2014
@RHC_Countryside @Gameandwildlife sadly the over cast weather was too much to get anything better... hope they help! pic.twitter.com/10age25jNC
— David Carr (@DavidCarr9) February 4, 2014
@Gameandwildlife #BFBC this morning pic.twitter.com/RBdC5OJZpU
— Kathryn Mitchell (@kathrynm48) February 4, 2014
Just submitted my results to @Gameandwildlife #BFBC included 86 Corn buntings and 5 Tree Sparrows :-) missed Grey Partridge tho :-(
— Steve Dudley (@stevedudley_) February 4, 2014
One of the largest counts of farmland birds ever conducted in England is underway! http://t.co/bbiZyU076f @Gameandwildlife
— Earth Touch (@EarthTouch) February 4, 2014
Monday 3 February 2014
Your latest Tweets on the Big Farmland Bird Count
@Gameandwildlife we took this photo of Molly helping spread bird seed feed for the farmland birds on winterstubbles pic.twitter.com/fkXorp2cut
— Camilla and Roly (@CamillaandRoly) February 2, 2014
Somerset farmer Henry Lang counts birdlife on his land, with Peter Thompson from @Gameandwildlife @BBCRadio4 0544 Mon pic.twitter.com/xPkEZI6u3j
— Farming Today (@BBCFarmingToday) February 2, 2014
Counted 25 species for the Big Farmland Bird Count on a lovely Sunday afternoon at the 'Den #BFBC
— Little Omenden Farm (@OmendenFarm) February 2, 2014
Big farmland bird count on a beautiful winters day. Quick summary of our bird count http://t.co/Qko0vPILoL
— Phil Jarvis (@Farmerphil1) February 2, 2014
Did GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count at Pudding Norton Hall Farm lots of Skylarks, Snipe & a pair of Grey Partridge pic.twitter.com/J8bSkecPVV
— Bob Osborne (@BobOsborne4) February 1, 2014
@Gameandwildlife Lovely sunny day to start the Big Farmland Bird Count in Seaham and our HLS area is already teeming with bird life!
— Keith Davidson (@keithjdavidson) February 1, 2014
Norfolk farmer and FWAG Association chair, Joe Martin takes part in the Big Farmland Bird Count http://t.co/2OhLM7t5UG #BFBC
— Jim Egan (@JimEgan08) February 3, 2014
Sunday 2 February 2014
First count results starting to arrive
In just half an hour, Henry Lang managed to locate an impressive range of birds on a 5 acre wheat field on his farm.
The field, which is surrounded by 6 metre grass margins, excellent hedges and wild bird seed crops proved a haven for wild birds and the count in this small area revealed flocks of 60 fieldfares, 20 starlings as well as blackbirds, wren, blue tit, reed buntings, song thrush, dunnock, pied wagtail, goldfinch, grey partridge and two tiny goldcrests - one of our smallest bird species.
Peter Thompson, the GWCT’s farmland Biodiversity Advisor, said, “Henry showed that, although he runs a profitable commercial farming operation, wild birds are thriving because of the wildlife habitats that have been incorporated in blocks around the farm together with supplementary over-winter feeding.
Henry is particularly proud of his 40 acres of wild flower meadows, which are now encouraging the spread of species such as marble white butterflies to different areas on his land. In addition Henry has established 48km of 6 metre grass margins as well as recent planting of 14,000 new native trees and shrubs.”
If you've conducted your count you can submit your count results online >