Wild Greys Project
About the Wild Greys Project
The grey partridge, Perdix perdix, is an iconic farmland bird native to the UK and many other European countries. Whilst once a common bird in our countryside, reduced habitat availability has led to a dramatic decline in their numbers. They have now become locally extinct in many parts of the UK and other European countries. More information on the range and status of the Grey Partridge can be found on the IUCN redlist website.
Research into the ecology of grey partridges has led to the development of management prescriptions designed to address their habitat needs. Many of these prescriptions now form part of national agri-environmental schemes and their implementation by landowners has increased the amount of habitat available to grey partridges. However, despite these positive changes, the distinctive call of a wild grey is still absent from many farms where habitats have been improved. This is often because 'Wild Greys' have already become extinct in that area and, therefore, no birds are available to begin re-establishing a wild population. It is in situations such as this that a re-introduction programme may be suitable.
The Wild Greys Project was originally set up to rear grey partridges suitable for re-introduction projects. Since then, we have received considerable and growing interest in grey partridge re-introduction in the UK and across Europe.
The aims of the Wild Greys Project are:
Promote: Promote the sustainable re-establishment of wild grey partridge populations where appropriate.
Support: Support members by providing access to online tools, resources & expert advice.
Research: Conduct research through member participation (citizen science) to help improve the success of future re-introduction projects.
The project website provides members with a method of recording and mapping bird releases, sightings and finds to monitor and assess the success of their reintroduction project. These data from individual projects will also collectively help improve our understanding of how wild populations of Grey Partridge should be successfully re-established.
PLEASE NOTE: This project has been temporarily suspended. We hope begin the project again shortly.