Thursday 19 February 2015

Our letter in The Times: Bird in the bush

Dear Sir

Bramblings have “irruption” years when masses of them over-winter here due to lack of food on the continent (letter, Wing and a prayer, Feb 17).  This year there is an abundance of food in the form of a massive beech mast harvest – a favourite food – so many are feeding within woodland and very low numbers are being recorded. Chaffinch too are also feeding on the abundant beech mast crop. Bramblings could be everywhere next winter – that is the nature of the bird!

Yellowhammer have declined – and are quite a sedentary bird so this may be reflecting a local trend. However, keep growing millet – a real favourite of theirs and that might help them get through this period called the ‘hungry gap’ – a difficult time for many birds in the late winter.

On a positive note – 150 Reed bunting is a wonderful count – so keep up these great efforts.

Peter Thompson
Farmland Biodiversity Advisor
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust


Free Game Cover Crops Guide

Get your FREE Guide from the GWCT

Click here to download your essential guide to which game cover crops to plant produced by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.

No comments:

Post a Comment