Norfolk farmers can reinforce their customary position at the top of the charts when an annual farmland bird survey returns in the New Year.

The Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC), organised by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), returns from February 2 to 18, 2024.

It 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.

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

“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.

Minette Batters, president of the National Farmers' Union, which sponsors the count, said: "Alongside producing quality, climate-friendly food, our farmers and growers are the custodians of the great British countryside and work hard to boost biodiversity, create habitats for wildlife and provide additional feeding for farmland birds.

"During this year’s count, 149 species were recorded, including 33 species from the Red List for Birds of Conservation Concern.

"I would encourage as many farmers and growers as possible to participate in the 2024 count."

GWCT chief executive Teresa Dent said: "By spending just half an hour in one spot on your shoot or farm, counting the birds you see and submitting your results to the GWCT, the results help us build a national picture of which species are benefiting from conservation efforts, and which are most in need of help."

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.