Making the most of stubble

DR MIKE SWAN IS HEAD OF EDUCATION AND THE SOUTHERN REGIONAL ADVISER FOR THE GAME & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST

Pheasants and partridges just love stubble. They can rake about easily, scoffing the gleanings, pecking at odd weeds and even chasing after big, succulent insects like daddy longlegs.

With the cut stems offering cover up to just about head height, they feel much safer than when out on a fully open field. From the keeper’s point of view, this can bring a nightmare time of straying and endless work dogging them back. But, on the other hand, stubble can help you to hold birds that would otherwise be