Students from Hartpury University and Hartpury College have taken part in this year’s Big Farmland Bird Count, recording almost 1,000 individual birds across the Hartpury estate in a week-long survey.
Eight surveys were conducted, with more than 60 students participating from a range of programmes, including BSc (Hons) Zoology, BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare, BSc (Hons) Agriculture, BSc (Hons) Bioveterinary Science, the Level 3 Extended Certificate in Countryside Management, and the Access to HE Diploma in Land-based Studies.
In total, students recorded 46 different bird species and nearly 1,000 individual birds. Of these, 10 species are currently listed on the UK Red List for Birds of Conservation Concern and 12 are on the Amber List, highlighting the conservation importance of farmland habitats and the value of careful land management.
The national Big Farmland Bird Count, organised annually by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, encourages farmers, land managers and educational institutions to monitor bird populations on agricultural land. The initiative plays a key role in building a national picture of farmland bird numbers and informing conservation action.
Farmland bird species have experienced significant long-term decline in the UK, with populations falling by 62% between 1970 and 2024, including a further 11% decline between 2019 and 2024 (BTO, 2025). Surveys such as this provide valuable real-world data while giving students hands-on experience in ecological monitoring and conservation practice.
Dr Ben Brilot, Associate Head of Animal at Hartpury University said: “Participating in the Big Farmland Bird Count provides our students with invaluable fieldwork experience while contributing to an important national dataset. Recording such a diverse range of species, including those of conservation concern, reinforces the importance of sustainable land management and biodiversity stewardship.”
Dr Lucy Garrett, Research Lecturer in Biodiversity and Conservation at Hartpury University added: “It was a real joy to see so many students from different backgrounds taking part in the counts, some of whom were experienced while others had never undertaken a bird count before. Members of staff from different departments also supported efforts and it was great to increase awareness of the need to monitor and restore our dwindling farmland bird populations.”
The activity forms part of Hartpury’s commitment to integrating practical conservation work into teaching, ensuring students graduate with both academic knowledge and applied field skills.
For more information about the Big Farmland Bird Count, visit www.bfbc.org.uk.
