Across the British countryside, farmers, land managers and rural businesses are quietly delivering vital conservation work, from planting hedgerows and beetle banks to creating wildflower margins and pollinator-friendly habitats. Each winter, the Big Farmland Bird Count gives us a chance to see how this local effort is paying off, by shining a spotlight on the birds that share our fields, hedges and farmyards.
Every February, our farming community joins thousands of others across the country to take part in the Big Farmland Bird Count, organised by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and supported by the NFU. Over a two-week window, participants spend just half an hour walking their land and recording the bird species and numbers they see, creating a nationwide snapshot of farmland birdlife. This year in 2026 it was extended due to the exceptionally wet weather to the 1stMarch.
Why the Big Farmland Bird Count Matters
Our countryside doesn’t just produce food; it sustains a rich web of wildlife that depends on well-managed farms and green spaces. Birds such as yellowhammers, skylarks, linnets and tree sparrows are key indicators of a healthy farmed environment, and tracking their numbers helps us understand how they are responding to changing conditions and conservation work.
By submitting records each year, local farmers and land managers contribute to a national dataset that highlights both success stories and species under pressure, including many on the Red List. It is a powerful way to demonstrate that thoughtful land management, from winter feeding to habitat creation, directly supports the wildlife we care about.
How to Join the annual Farmland Bird Count
Getting involved each February is straightforward and open to all farmers and land managers:
- Download the GWCT’s official count sheet , produced for the Big Farmland Bird Count and sponsored by the NFU.
- Pick a day within the two-week count window and choose a representative area of your land to survey.
- Spend 30 minutes recording all the birds you see or hear in that area, noting both species and numbers on the record sheet.
- Submit your completed sheet or enter your results via the online recording system so they can be added to the national results.
That simple half-hour outdoors doubles as a chance to pause, notice the detail in our landscape, and appreciate just how much life our working countryside supports in the quieter winter months.
Our Local Bird Count Findings at Burrough Court (Leicestershire)
This year, here at Burrough Court, we took part once again in the Big Farmland Bird Count, using the GWCT and NFU record sheet to log everything from familiar garden visitors to true farmland specialists.
By comparing year-on-year results, we can start to see patterns, perhaps more birds using new hedgerows or winter seed mixes, or certain species responding to changes in cropping or grazing. This kind of local evidence is invaluable when planning future conservation work on the farm.
The Future of Rural Wildlife Conservation is a Shared Success
The Big Farmland Bird Count is a reminder that conservation is not confined to reserves; it is happening on real, working land right across our farms. Every count submitted, whether from a large estate, family farm or mixed rural business, helps build a clearer national picture of farmland bird populations and the positive role that farmers and land managers play.
So next February, if you live or work in the countryside, why not join in? Talk to your local farmer, put on a pair of wellies, and spend half an hour discovering just how many birds are sharing the landscape around you. It is a small act that contributes to a much bigger story of nature recovery in our rural communities.