A CONSERVATION project in which farmers and birdwatchers work together to help Yorkshire's countryside birds has celebrated its third year of success.

The RSPB Volunteer and Farmer Alliance, which runs in North and East Yorkshire, provides local farmers with a free survey of the birds on their land.

Participating farmers are paired up with RSPB volunteers, who make three visits to the farm between April and July to record the birds present on the land.

The results of the survey are plotted on a unique farm bird map, which helps farmers identify the land management system of most benefit to wildlife.

The project has proved popular, with 127 farms taking part, and the information gathered can help support applications to conservation grant schemes.

The results show that some parts of Yorkshire are important strongholds for birds in decline elsewhere in the UK.

According to the survey, birds such as tree sparrow and corn bunting, fast disappearing from other parts of the UK, are still to be found on many farms in North and East Yorkshire.

Mike Pilsworth, volunteer and farmer alliance project officer, said: "The survey has not only shown just how important some of the county's farms are for birds, but has also helped local farmers in a practical way, by supporting their grant applications and providing them with wildlife-friendly land management advice."