In the age of the pheasant a wild grey partridge day is unknown to most guns. But it was not long ago that it was the quarry of rich and poor alike, both driven on grand days hosted on great estates and walked-up over farmers’ fields. Here since the past ice age, this native gamebird would have been familiar to all countrymen and celebrated across the land, from Cornwall to Caithness. During the first half of the 20th century, there were more than one million pairs of grey partridge. Today, only 43,000 pairs remain with a 92% decline from 1967 to 2015.
This dramatic fall in numbers is intrinsically linked to the modernisation of farming and has made the grey partridge a barometer for the health of our countryside. Projects that manage to improve its fortunes show huge increases in biodiversity, with fields full of songbirds, bees and butterflies providing fantastic examples of game management as a driver for conservation. The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Partridge Count Scheme (PCS), which started in the 1930s, showed that between 2000 to 2015 partridge numbers dropped nationally by 54% whereas they rose by 91% on PCS sites with a shoot and only dropped 18% on those without a shoot.
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Strength in Numbers -The success of Britain's growing band of Farmer Clusters shows the value in working together and engaging with the public in the name of conservation, says Gabriel Stone
In a world that leans into gloomy headlines, it's important to wave the flag for a refreshing success story. That's especially the case when it comes to our overburdened farming sector and the wider way in which we manage the landscape. Yes, we: everyone can play a role, not least through one inspirational initiative. Ever since a 2013 pilot project by the GWCT in association with Natural England, Farmer Clusters have mushroomed across Britain. Led by farmers with guidance from expert advisers, today's network of about 125 clusters encourages a cohesively managed, locally tailored, larger-scale approach to conservation work.
Going over old ground
Forget modern tractors and minimum tillage - there is something glorious about the sight of farmer, horse and vintage plough in perfect harmony
Return of the natives
There is nothing as satisfying as creating a magical miniature woodland or conservation hedgerow using our native trees - and now is the best time to start.
Tagging the Cornish tunny
Enormous Atlantic bluefin tuna are once again making waves in UK waters almost a century after their showstopping appearance in the North Sea
In it for the long haul
It may have fallen out of favour at the elite level but long-format three-day eventing is still proving popular with grassroots riders
Unpicking the story of hunt buttons
These treasured tokens are bestowed only upon those who go above and beyond in service of their hunt but the rules around them can be complex
A place of tradition in the heart of town
Cordings has helped shape the sartorial landscape of Britain for 185 years, with its classic country tailoring a firm staple of many sporting wardrobes
Don't play it by ear
Hearing loss can have a devastating impact on day-to-day life, making ear protection a non-negotiable piece of field kit
Back to base-ics
Britain's famously unpredictable climate can make staying comfortable in the field a challenge but the right under layers can be a game changer
Stand and deliver
A good stance provides the platform for shotgun marksmanship and is fundamental to consistent success in the field or breaking clays