Birds
A wide range of birds can be found on farmland across the South Downs. They can be split into two groups - Generalists and Specialists.
Generalists are those species that use farmland for breeding and/or feeding but are not solely dependent upon it. They include woodpigeon, greenfinch and goldfinch.
Specialists are those birds that are solely reliant upon farmland for their breeding and feeding requirements. They include grey partridge, lapwing, yellowhammer and skylark.
The Specialists have fared worse over the last 40 years, and it is these birds that will benefit most from targeted conservation measures.
- Click the pictures to find out more about identifying these South Downs birds
- Follow the links to find out more about what these birds need and how to encourage them on your land
Corn Bunting
Grey Partridge
Grey Partridge Newsletter - GWCT
Conserving the grey partridge - GWCT
Restoring wild grey partridges on your farm - GWCT
Providing nesting cover for wild grey partridges - GWCT
Providing brood rearing cover for wild grey partridges - GWCT
Providing winter cover and food for wild grey partridges - GWCT
Using predation control to increase wild grey partridge numbers - GWCT
Late winter and spring feeding of pheasants and partridged - GWCT
Lapwing
Linnet
Skylark
Stone-curlew
Turtle dove
Yellowhammer
Barn owl
Barn owl advisory sheet - RSPB
Images – corn bunting ©Andy Hay (rspb-images.com), grey partridge ©Des Sussex, lapwing ©Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com), linnet ©RSPB (rspb-images.com), skylark ©Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com), stone-curlew ©Andy Hay (rspb-images.com), turtle dove ©Andy Hay (rspb-images.com), yellowhammer ©Andy Hay (rspb-images.com), barn owl © John Bridges (rspb-images.com)
- SDFBI Blog
Sussex Study 2017 Grey Partridge autumn counts
2nd Mar 2018Dr Julie Ewald, Head of GIS fo...Read More...Talking lapwings with the Selborne Landscape Partnership
13th Feb 2018RSPB Farm Conservation Advisor...Read More...