THE first 12-months of a new project to boost the numbers of threatened grey partridges in Yorkshire have been a big success – but more needs to be done, says the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Yorkshire now has up to 5,000 breeding pairs but has the potential to support 20,000 – a tenth of the target for the whole of England – and a special meeting of interested parties is to be held at Askham Bryan Agricultural College, York, at 6.30, on Monday, November 17.

Henrietta Appleton, Northern Advisory Services Coordinator with the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust said, “The group has received huge support from farmers, landowners and gamekeepers who are keen to manage their land for the benefit of this iconic bird.

“Grey partridges, like many other farmland birds have suffered decades of catastrophic decline and I look forward to welcoming new and existing members to our winter group meeting. This marks a positive step forward for partridge recovery in the region.”