UK Research Indicates More Birds on No-Till Plots

Research in the United Kingdom has recorded large increases in the number and species of birds on no-till plots.

The ongoing research — independently monitored and sponsored in part by Syngenta UK — counts bird varieties and numbers at plots subjected to "direct drill," another name for no-till, and reduced tillage in East Lenham in Kent and Loddington in Leicestershire.

Kent is a county stretching from the outskirts of London to the far southeast of England. Leicestershire is a county located in central England, northwest of Birmingham.

Researchers spotted 1,011% more birds over the winter at the Loddington plot, according to a press release issued Jan. 27.

The Kent plot recorded 145% more birds, as well as double the number of meadow pipits more than double the number of skylarks on conservation tillage ground. Researchers also sighted snipe, grey partridge and red-legged partridge exclusively sticking to conservation tillage grounds.

Meadow pipits are year-round residents of the United Kingdom. Skylarks are year-round residents of the UK. Snipes and red-legged partridges are common in the UK, though grey partridges have suffered a decline in recent years.