East Anglia's farmers have been urged to join a nationwide survey of farmland birds which could help target conservation efforts by spotting struggling species.

The Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC), organised by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), was launched today and runs until February 18.

Thousands of land managers and bird enthusiasts across the UK will take half an hour to observe and record the wild birds on their land.

The count aims to reveal the nation's most abundant farmland birds - highlighting the impact of conservation work done by land managers, while illustrating targets for future efforts.

Last year, Norfolk topped the table of responses for the fifth year running, with 164 completed survey results.

And the region's farmers, rangers, gamekeepers and forest keepers have again been encouraged to join the 11th annual count in 2024. 

Charles Hesketh, East of England regional policy manager for the National Farmers' Union (NFU), said: “Although our farmers and growers are focused on the importance of producing the nation’s food, they are passionate about protecting and maintaining the great British countryside, and the Big Farmland Bird Count provides a fantastic snapshot of the huge amount of work being carried out on our farms to encourage wildlife.

“It’s fast becoming an important national event, where thousands of farmers and growers here in the East and around the country are able to take stock of and, importantly, take pride in what they find on their land.

“Without sound management of our environment, enhancement of habitats, protection of wildlife and support for pollinators and soils, we do not have farming businesses.

“That’s why I encourage all farmers and growers to take part before the count ends on February 18, and also remember to submit your records to the GWCT, so we can then pull together a vital state of the nation when it comes to farmland birds.”

During 2023, more than 1,700 farmers took part across the country, recording 149 species were recorded, including 33 species from the Red List for Birds of Conservation Concern.

“Farmland birds have declined by 63pc since 1970 and desperately need our help,” said Dr Roger Draycott of the GWCT.

“With 72pc of the UK’s land area used for agriculture, the key to increasing biodiversity and reversing the decline in wildlife is held by those looking after this land.”

To do this, it is vital to have information from long-term initiatives such as the BFBC, he added.

Registering for the BFBC is free and no specialist knowledge or equipment is required. In many places, local bird and wildlife groups are working with land managers to help with the count.

For more information and downloadable bird guides, see www.bfbc.org.uk.