Get your binoculars out for the Big Farmland Bird Count

Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group gears up for this year's initiative

Next month farmers across the Isle of Man are being encouraged to take part in the annual Big Farmland Bird Count.

The initiative, taking place from 6-22 February, encourages farmers and land managers to record the bird species and numbers on their farms.

Created by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, it aims to raise awareness of the important role farmers play in helping farmland birds, and to measure the impact of the conservation work that many farms and estates carry out.

Workshop at Ballannette

This Saturday (31 January) a workshop will be taking place at Ballannette Nature Reserve from 2pm for people to find out more about what the bird count involves.

As Paul Fletcher, Chairman of the Isle of Man Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, explains:

Anyone wanting more information on the Big Farmland Bird Count can reach Paul and Hillary via the FWAG Isle of Man Facebook page, email fwagiom@outlook.com, or call Paul on 463032.

You can listen to the full interview with Mr Fletcher via Newscast below: