How to support wild grey partridge in the UK

A rare boost for wild grey partridge

The British Isles sit at the edge of the grey partridge’s European range. Wet, cold summers often devastate chicks, unlike the species’ strongholds in eastern Europe.

This year was different. Prolonged heatwaves gave wild populations a welcome boost. It reminded me of research years ago on the outskirts of Prague. There, despite little predator or habitat management, partridge thrived thanks to hot summers and temporary roadside habitats.

But those habitats vanished once roadworks finished, and so did the partridge.

Grey partridge in Britain today

Back in the UK, reports suggest record breeding success for partridges and pheasants after the hot, dry summer. According to the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), grey partridge populations remain stable only if 35% of chicks survive. Anything higher means more spring pairs next year.

Yet challenges remain. Sparrowhawks can heavily reduce recovering populations. GWCT modelling suggests an average 39% negative impact on spring pair numbers.

What we can control

Habitat and cover

Providing wide field margins, beetle banks, conservation headlands and tussocky grass supports brood survival. These habitats supply both cover and insect food.

Predator control

Effective, targeted predator control can triple grey partridge numbers in a few years. Reducing foxes, crows and small ground predators such as stoats and rats during the breeding and pre-breeding seasons is especially important.

Avoid rearing and release

Do not release reared grey partridge into wild populations. Though they may nest, they are poor parents. Worse, they compete for territories with wild birds or hybridise with them.

Go lead-free

GWCT research shows that both adults and chicks can ingest lead shot. Of 1,318 wild birds examined in southern England, 4.5% contained lead shot in their gizzards. Modelling suggests a 10% population impact from lead alone. Many shoots are already moving away from lead — especially important where wild greys are present.

Join the count

If you have wild partridge, visit the GWCT partridge count scheme and connect with local partridge groups.

With the right conditions and management, a harvestable surplus is possible. But success depends on many factors. Some we control, some we don’t.

Every partridge counts.