Identification day ahead of big farmland bird count

CAN you tell the difference between a jackdaw and carrion crow? A dunnock and a house sparrow?
If not, organisers of a major bird survey have organised an identification day to help.
The fourth Big Farmland Bird Count takes place between Friday, February 3, and Sunday, February 12, organised by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), which is encouraging farmers to get involved.
Those who are not confident about identifying species can attend a County Durham farmland bird ID day at Bradley Burn, Wolsingham, on January 25, starting at 9am.
It will be hosted by Chris Stephenson and farmland bird expert Janet Fairclough.
Jim Egan, of the GWCT, said: “If you can’t name every bird you see on your farm, the ID day will help farmers recognise them. 
“By the end of the ID day, you should be able to recognise the top 20 bird species you can expect to see on your land over the winter period. 
“In addition, a colour ID guide is provided to those who attend, with a focus on birds that are harder to identify.”
He added: “I would say to anyone thinking about taking part – do it.  Get out and enjoy the birds on your farm and give us the opportunity to shout about the great work you’re doing.”
In last year’s GWCT Big Farland Bird Count, more than  970 farmers from across the country took part, recording 130 species of birds across approximately 900,000 acres.
Mr Egan said: “This year we are aiming to at least double the number of people taking part. So get trained and give the count a go.”
The most commonly seen species were blackbirds and wood pigeons.
Organisers said they were delighted to see that a total of 25 species from the red list for birds of conservation concern were recorded, with five appearing in the 25 most commonly seen species list – fieldfares, house sparrows, starlings, yellowhammers and song thrushes.
As part of this year’s bird watch, special offer vouchers for seed mixes that will be given to each participant have been provided by Syngenta & Kings and BASF Plc & Limagrain UK.
Graham Hartwell, environmental stewardship manager at BASF, said: “The continued success of the bird count is due to the interest and commitment of increasing numbers of farmers to show the wider farming industry what can be achieved from some small changes to their farm management.
“Many new participants are inspired from the identification days, where understanding the needs of farmland birds and learning that simple management changes can help support many species.
“The experience of learning how to help each species is a positive step forward,” he added.
“Just how small and spectacularly coloured our bird species are, are just two of the learning points that can be experienced on an ID Day, and change many supporters approach to both habitat management and talking about their farms and the wildlife they support.”
Places, costing £10, on the ID day at Wolsingham are limited.
To book, call Amelia Woolford on 01572 718730 after January 3.