MORE than 500 farmers with almost 500,000 acres of UK farmland took part in the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s first Big Farmland Bird Count.

Representing every county in England, as well as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, they recorded 116 types of birds and, encouragingly, six red-listed species appeared in the top 25.

The top 25 included linnet, yellowhammer, house sparrow, tree sparrow, starling and lapwing. Starlings were the most abundant, seen on more than 40 per cent of the farms.

Twelve species of raptor were recorded, as well as rarer species such as great grey shrike, twite and firecrest.

Woodpigeon, blackbird, carrion crow, pheasant and chaffinch were seen by more than 70 per cent taking part.

Jim Egan, from the trust, said: “This was a remarkable result, both in terms of the range of species counted, as well as the number of redlisted species appearing within the top 25.

“These are some of our most rapidly-declining species, but they are still out there and are being supported by our farmers through the many conservation measures that are now being implemented across the country.”

Over-winter feeding, either by providing food in feeders or through planting wild bird seed mixes, proved to be fruitful counting sites for many farmers.

Mr Egan said: “Within the survey, 60 per cent of farmers were providing food specifically for their birds and this is one of the conservation measures that is helping the birds thrive and stay alive on these farms over winter.”

The 30-minute count – which was carried out in February – showed that nearly 80 per cent of the farmers were in Environmental Stewardship Schemes.

Their survey areas included important environmental features, such as hedges, woodland ponds, grass margins and ditches.

Many “green” measures now being implemented by farmers, such as providing over-winter food, originate from 21 years of trust research at its Allerton Project Farm, in Leicestershire.

Mr Egan added: “The results of the count help to demonstrate that farmers, who manage the largest songbird habitat in this country, really can make a difference and this was reflected in the impressive variety and number of species that emerged in the count.”

The second count will be held in February next year.

To register an interest, visit gwct.org.uk/BFBC.