Covey-oriented partridge management in France

Published source details Westerskov K.E. (1977) Covey-oriented partridge management in France. Biological Conservation, 11, 185-191.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Provide other resources for birds (water, sand for bathing) Action Link
	Provide supplementary food for gamebirds to increase adult survival Action Link
	Control predators not on islands for gamebirds Action Link
	Control predatory mammals and birds (foxes, crows, stoats and weasels) Action Link
	Reduce inter-specific competition for food by removing or controlling competitor species Action Link
	Provide supplementary food for birds or mammals Action Link

Provide other resources for birds (water, sand for bathing)

A small study of feeding as a management option for grey partridges Perdix perdix at an arable farm in France (Westerskov 1977) found that partridge density was higher in an area with ‘partridge cafeterias’, than the area without. In spring 1973 the population on the 424 ha farm was 71 pairs (1 pair/6 ha) and four single birds. In spring 1974, a total of 48 pairs (1 pair/4.7 ha) and four single birds were recorded in the southern section (224 ha), where 27 partridge cafeterias had been constructed. The northern section (200 ha), with no cafeterias, had 24 pairs (1 pair/8.3 ha). Cafeterias comprised a barrel with a feed mixture (grain and weed seeds), a mini-midden to provide maggots and insects and a sand-bath, sheltered by a leaning roof that collected rainwater in a drinking trough. Stoats Mustela erminea and mice Mus spp. were also controlled with traps at the ‘cafeterias’. Small shrubs were planted next to cafeterias to provide shelter. Where possible they were placed one/territory.
Provide supplementary food for gamebirds to increase adult survival

A small study of feeding as a management option for grey partridges Perdix perdix at an arable farm in France (Westerskov 1977), found that partridge density was higher in the area with partridge cafeterias, than the area without. In spring 1973 the population on the 424 ha farm was 71 pairs (1pair/6 ha) and 4 single birds. In spring 1974, a total of 48 pairs (1 pair/4.7 ha) and 4 single birds were recorded in the southern section (224 ha), where 27 partridge cafeterias had been constructed. The northern section (200 ha), with no cafeterias, had 24 pairs (1 pair/8.3 ha). Cafeterias comprised a barrel with a feed mixture (grain and weed seeds) and a sand-bath, sheltered by a leaning roof that collected rainwater in a drinking trough. Small shrubs were planted next to cafeterias to provide shelter. Where possible they were placed one per pair territory.
Control predators not on islands for gamebirds

A replicated, controlled study in the spring of 1974 on a cereal farm in Villers-Cotterêts, France (Westerskov 1997), found that grey partridges Perdix perdix were significantly more abundant in areas provided with ‘partridge cafeterias’ than in control areas. These ‘cafeterias’ included stoat Mustela ermine box-traps. This study is discussed in ‘Provide supplementary food to increase adult survival’.
Control predatory mammals and birds (foxes, crows, stoats and weasels)

A replicated, controlled study in the spring of 1974 on a cereal farm in France (Westerskov 1977) found that grey partridge Perdix perdix were significantly more abundant in areas provided with ‘partridge cafeterias’ which included stoat Mustela erminea box-traps, than in control areas. A total of 48 pairs (1 pair/4.7 ha) and four single birds were recorded in the southern section of the farm (224 ha), where 27 partridge cafeterias had been constructed. The northern section (200 ha), with no cafeterias, had 24 pairs (1 pair/8.3 ha). As well as the stoat traps, cafeterias comprised a barrel with a feed mixture (grain and weed seeds), mouse Mus spp. traps, a mini-midden to provide maggots and insects, and a sand-bath, sheltered by a leaning roof that collected rainwater in a drinking trough.
Reduce inter-specific competition for food by removing or controlling competitor species

A replicated, controlled study in the spring of 1974 on a cereal farm in Villers-Cotterêts, France (Westerskov 1977), found that grey partridges Perdix perdix were significantly more abundant in areas provided with ‘partridge cafeterias’ than in control areas. These ‘cafeterias’ included mouse poison dispensers. This study is discussed in ‘Provide supplementary food to increase adult survival’.
Provide supplementary food for birds or mammals

A small study of feeding as a management option for grey partridges Perdix perdix at an arable farm in France (Westerskov 1977), found that partridge density was higher in an area with ‘partridge cafeterias’, than the area without. In spring 1973, the population on the 424 ha farm was 71 pairs (1 pair/6 ha) and four single birds. In spring 1974, a total of 48 pairs (1 pair/4.7 ha) and four single birds were recorded in the southern section (224 ha), where 27 partridge cafeterias had been constructed. The northern section (200 ha), with no cafeterias, had 24 pairs (1 pair/8.3 ha). Cafeterias comprised a barrel with a feed mixture (grain and weed seeds), a mini-midden to provide maggots and insects and a sand-bath, sheltered by a leaning roof that collected rainwater in a drinking trough. Stoats Mustela erminea and mice Mus spp. were also controlled with traps at the ‘cafeterias’. Small shrubs were planted next to cafeterias to provide shelter. Where possible they were placed one/territory.