Wild Game Bird Habitat

We count ourselves as fortunate to be working with some of the most prestigious wild bird shoots in the UK and it is incredibly rewarding when the habitat we are helping to create contributes to the success of a wild bird shoot. If you talk to any lowland wild bird ‘keepers they will tell you that success depends on four factors: predator control, habitat, feeding and decent weather during the breeding season. As none of us has control over the weather, it is crucial that the factors under our control are engineered to provide the best environment possible for wild game.

Leaving predator control and winter feeding to the experts, our contribution is in helping to create the right habitat, often within the confines of a profitable farming operation. We acknowledge that there is sometimes a conflict between farm and game departments, usually caused through a lack of understanding on both sides. Having backgrounds in agri-businesses helps us to deliver a planned approach to habitat creation that often has a positive outcome for both the farm and the game department. By utilising stewardship schemes, buffer strips and set-aside as well as advising on management prescriptions that are favourable to wildlife without being detrimental to the farming operation we can help create the habitat essential for successful production of wild game and wildlife in general.

Q. Why has there been such a dramatic decline in wild game birds and especially grey partridge in the last 50 years.

A. Largely two reasons. Firstly it corresponds with a significant fall in the number of full-time gamekeepers and therefore a significant increase in predators and, secondly, the increased efficiency of farming. Efficient farming has led to fewer weeds, fewer insects, fewer green stubbles, less spilt grain, block cropping, fewer ‘mixed’ farms, 24 hour farming, farming right up to the field boundary and less diversity of cropping. At this point it is important to acknowledge that these are not criticisms of our farming industry, in fact they are a testament to how efficient the industry has become. Unfortunately they are not compatible with the production of wild game unless alternative habitat is created, and this is where Oakbank comes in.

Wild game birds (and for the purpose of this guide we mean pheasants and partridges) require three types of habitat – habitat for nesting; habitat in which hens and chicks can safely and easily forage for insects and habitat which provides safe shelter all year round and particularly during the winter when there is less natural cover. The less distance a bird has to travel for this habitat the better and therefore having it spread around a farm in narrow strips rather than located in a few large blocks is infinitely preferable.

Since the introduction of cross-compliance buffer strips most hedgerows and water-courses should provide nesting habitat but this can always be supplemented by the planting of tussocky grasses, such as cocksfoot, along beetle banks and field boundaries.

Brood rearing cover needs to provide easily accessible (at chick height), protein-rich insects, ideally in an environment which provides some protection from aerial predators. Obviously brood rearing cover needs to be located close to the nesting habitat so that a hen can move her chicks quickly and easily into it straight from the nest. Choice of species in a brood rearing cover is large but again try and keep it simple. Try and grow easy to establish perennial plants that host a wide range of insects. Make sure the canopy is established by the time chicks are hatching.

If you are trying to increase or re-establish wild game on your ground, our advisory service can be a very useful starting point.  If you would like to discuss how we can help you reach you goals, please call us on 01480 890686.