Grey partridges (also known as ‘English Partridges’) are native to the UK and were once extremely common. Their numbers are sadly now so low that they are on the Birds of Conservation Concern ‘red list’. Red is the highest conservation priority, with species needing urgent action.
We are thrilled that a record number of schools took part in ‘Operation Grey Partridge’ this year! Although hatched in schools, the birds are grown on at our branch farms before being relocated and released into suitable habitats which will give them the best chances of survival and reproduction.
Four releases have now taken place at carefully evaluated sites located in Norfolk, Kent and County Durham. Below is a video of one of this year’s releases in Kent, where the birds take to the skies on their first ever flight!
The youngsters will often return to the release site over the first few months, where feed and water is located to support them as they adjust to wild living. They stick together in a group or ‘covey’ before breaking away into breeding pairs.
Wild, mature grey partridges have a strong instinct to ‘adopt’ youngsters and their chances of survival are much higher when this happens. We were therefore delighted to spot a mature partridge with the released youngsters – it’s the larger bird standing upright, below.
Grow strong, go forth and multiply, little ones – and may the force be with you!
You can find out more about this unique conservation project for schools here.
Just One Tree Day – How many trees can we plant for our children?
As part of our environmental commitment, we partnered with Just One Tree to help reduce our environmental footprint and restore our planet. Each year we fund the planting of 100 trees. Our little Incredible Eggs forest now stands at 400 trees, with another 100 to be added at the end of 2025!
Now, we’re supporting them to raise awareness of #JustOneTreeDay – their dedicated Non-Uniform Day for schools around the world!
Find out more here: www.justonetree.life/schools-sustainability
