The management of field margins for the conservation of gamebirds.

Abstract

The importance of hedgerows and other field boundaries as nesting habitat for gamebirds, and of cereal field headlands as foraging habitat for gamebird chicks is summarised. The various management options for hedgerows and headlands are described.

It is shown that hedges that are trimmed every other year (biennially) produce the best nesting cover for both grey and red-legged partridges. Annual trimming does not allow sufficient residual ground vegetation to build up, while hedges that are largely neglected become totally unsuitable nesting areas.

Cereal headlands left unsprayed with pesticides from 1 January produce significantly larger grey partridge and pheasant brood sizes. Headlands left unsprayed from 1 October had no additional beneficial effect.

The benefits to other farmland wildlife of field margin management for game are discussed.