Grey partridge recovery in East Anglia: conservation in action

Lowland stubble fields in early September used to be filled with the raspy call of grey partridge coveys star-bursting over hedgerows. Today, this iconic farmland bird is rare and more precious after decades of decline. Yet among the fields and hedgerows of East Anglia there’s hope of a recovery, with shooting playing a pivotal role, reports Ryan Darby.

A national icon under pressure

The grey partridge (Perdix perdix) is a red-listed species in the UK. Once widespread, their numbers have dropped by more than 90 per cent nationally since the 1960s. In East Anglia – a heartland for arable farming – partridge populations have plummeted due to:

• loss of insect-rich habitats from intensive crop farming and pesticide use
• removal of field margins, hedgerows and nesting cover
• increased predation from foxes, corvids and other ground predators

But while the general countryside has become increasingly inhospitable, a few pockets remain where grey partridge not only survive but thrive. And those pockets are found on land managed for shooting.

Working in partnership

Contrary to popular misconception, shooting is not a threat to grey partridge – it can be their greatest ally, when carried out with care and conservation at its heart. Shooting estates and syndicates with a focus on wild game birds create the ideal conditions that grey partridge need to flourish. This includes the following:

Habitat management
Gamekeepers and landowners restore and maintain features that support grey partridges year-round. Wide field margins, beetle banks, conservation headlands and tussocky grass provide crucial cover and insect food.

Legal predator control
Responsible predator management – carried out within the law – is a cornerstone of grey partridge conservation. Studies by The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) show that targeted predator control can increase chick survival rates by more than double.

Winter feeding
Feed hoppers and over-wintered stubbles ensure birds have access to food during the critical ‘Hungry Gap’. This improves adult body condition and nesting success in spring.

Monitoring and responsible harvesting
Shooting is guided by data. Estates that manage for grey partridge typically participate in GWCT’s Partridge Count Scheme and only shoot when surplus birds are available. In poor years, shooting is postponed or suspended altogether.

Setting the standard

At Houghton Estate in Norfolk, a long-running wild grey partridge project continues to set the standard for how shooting and conservation can go hand in hand. The estate’s success is underpinned by a few core actions, including:

Habitat is carefully managed for nesting and brooding by providing two-year rotations of site-specific cover mixes.
The organic farmland surrounding the wild bird mixes provide protection and further insect rich habitat for chicks to thrive.
Feeding stations are maintained through winter.
Predator control is applied legally and consistently.
No grey partridges are shot unless numbers support a sustainable harvest.

Thanks to this approach, the estate holds one of the most significant wild grey partridge populations in East Anglia and has been awarded a silver Purdey Award for its dedication to conservation.

What can you do to help?

As a BASC member, your role in grey partridge conservation is vital. Whether you shoot over 50 acres or 5,000, consider these actions:

Join the Partridge Count Scheme to monitor populations.
Manage habitat with partridge in mind: think cover, insects, and brood-rearing zones.
Control predators legally and ethically, especially during nesting season.
Provide winter feed – a few hoppers can make a real difference.
Shoot responsibly – only when your counts support it.

The future of the grey partridge in East Anglia won’t rest on policy alone. It depends on people – keepers, farmers, shoot captains and Guns – who care about the land and its wildlife. The shooting community has the skills, the motivation and the fieldcraft to be a force for conservation.

BASC continues to advocate for sustainable shooting and healthy rural landscapes and the grey partridge stands as a reminder of what we’re fighting for.

The threat from avian influenza

In recent years, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has impacted seabird colonies and affected both wild and captive bird populations across the UK. While grey partridge have not yet been seriously impacted, the risk remains and vigilance is essential.

As a ground-dwelling, non-migratory species, grey partridges are less exposed to the migratory waterfowl that typically spread the virus. However, the virus’s persistence in the environment, particularly in areas shared with infected wild birds or poultry, could still pose a threat, especially where populations are small and fragile.

Estates and farms hosting both partridges and pheasants (often released) must take care not to inadvertently increase exposure. While grey partridges are rarely released in numbers, the movement and management of gamebirds can act as a disease vector if not handled with proper biosecurity.

What shooters and gamekeepers can do:

Regularly disinfect footwear, vehicles, and equipment especially if visiting multiple shoots.
Maintain strict biosecurity around feed hoppers and pens.
Avoid sharing equipment between wild bird sites and rearing facilities.
Clean feeders regularly and move them periodically to prevent faecal build-up.
Report sick or dead birds promptly to Defra/APHA for testing. Do not pick up or touch wild birds you suspect have AI until after you have contacted the relevant agency and they have given you advice.

More information on avian influenza can be found here.

Ryan Darby

BASC East of England regional officer Ryan Darby was formerly a wild grey partridge keeper. He now manages a small, sustainable syndicate game shoot and enjoys early sunrises over the Wash accompanied by his Labrador. He also volunteers on an RNLI lifeboat, balancing wildlife conservation with community service.