The impact of rotational set-aside on pheasants (Phasianus cochicus) and Partridges (Perdix perdix) in Britain.

Abstract

A major motivation for landowners, farmers and estate managers to sympathetically manage land under their stewardship is the conservation of game. Set-aside land, if correctly managed, has the potential to provide brood-rearing areas for gamebirds within the arable landscape. In the UK, several management prescriptions for wildlife on set-aside have been largely based on research work conducted for game conservation purposes. The value of rotational or annual set-aside is assessed for its potential as brood-rearing habitat for pheasant, Phasianus colchicus, and partridge, Perdix perdix, especially for its potential to produce insect-rich swards. Although total numbers of chick-food insects were significantly higher on rotational set-aside compared to conventionally managed winter wheat fields, the differences were mainly attributable to the higher numbers of plant hoppers, Auchenorrhyncha, found on the set-aside. Gamebird counts suggested that rotational set-aside was a valuable habitat only for improving chick productivity of grey partridges. However sample sizes were small and continued effort is necessary to confirm these findings.