A farmer in Brigg, Lincolnshire, reported seeing a covey of 26 grey partridges last week in his oilseed rape fields. This number is considered exceptionally large, with the farmer stating he has not witnessed such a gathering in his lifetime, noting that twelve would typically be deemed a substantial covey.
The farmer attributes this significant increase to a nature-friendly approach to farming. This includes planting specific margins designed to encourage insects such as sawfly larvae, crickets, weevils, and ground beetles, which are the primary food source for young grey partridges.
Additionally, the farmer now incorporates millet into overwinter cover crops, providing a nutritional boost for older birds. The strategy aims to create a connected mosaic of habitats across the landscape.
Following recent rainfall, the farmer has begun drilling cash crops, starting with oilseed rape alongside companion crops like berseem clover, buckwheat, and fenugreek for natural defence against pests and to provide ground cover.