A super, fully referenced, post here from a favourite blogger of mine, James Common, exploring the decline of the Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) in the UK. I was fortunate to see a couple running across a stubble field the other day when I was out for a walk here in Essex but it is certainly an ever rarer sight today for the reasons James explains in this post. As James suggests, I encourage you to get involved and take part in the GWCT’s Partridge Count Scheme. Together, we can do our bit to help this species survive and hopefully (eventually) thrive in the future.
Living where I do, secluded in a reasonably rural area of Northumberland, Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) are still, thankfully, rather abundant. Indeed, many an evening stroll is accompanied by the guttural croaks of amorous male partridge and any venture into nearby farmland carries the risk of a mini-heart attack, induced by erupting covey’s vacating their grassy abodes. Up here in the North, you would be forgiven for assuming that this species is actually doing rather well – they are certainly easy enough to come by, all be it with a little effort. The fact of the matter remains however that the Grey Partridge, once one of our commonest and most widespread game birds, has declined massively. The history of this charismatic farmland denizen an overtly solemn one and the future of this much loved species, still undecided.
Historic declines
The Grey Partridge was once the most widespread and…
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