Partridge Conservation Project

Partridge Project 2026

During the Summer Term, we were delighted to work with Incredible Eggs on our very own conservation project – and live-stream the whole thing on YouTube. We received a shipment of 23 grey partridge eggs as part of the national breeding and release programme. This once common bird is now listed on the ‘red list’ – meaning that the species needs urgent action. Indeed, the population has declined by 92% since 1967 - the fastest declining farmland bird in Europe. So we were pleased to get involved so that the ‘cheepers’ could be born safely and then be released away from shooting game sites.

First, we received a shipment of eggs via a farmer in Kent. These eggs are laid outside of their nests and would therefore otherwise never hatch. Once we received the eggs, we incubated them for over a week, watching them slowly hatch and get used to their surroundings. Pictured above you can see 1) some of the birds just after they'd hatched in the incubator; and 2) the birds getting used to their surroundings once removed from the incubation. After our work was done, the birds were transported to Suffolk, receiving expert nurturing from a surrogate partridge mother - where they basically learn how to be a partridge! Then, once ready, they will be safely released into the wild

Years 7-9 devoted a dedicated science lesson to learn more about the birds and the project. In all, this was a brilliant learning opportunity for our students - teaching them about the natural world and the importance of preserving life.