CHANGES in farming practices in the North have contributed to an increase in bird populations, according to figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Its report shows a 13 per cent increase for all native bird species populations between 1994 and 2003.

Forty-five out of 86 species showed an increase of ten per cent or more.

Farmers in the North played a part in this success by using environmentally friendly farming methods after they joined Defra's Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS), which promotes the combination of good farming practice and environmental protection.

Robert Nixon, of Seven Mile House, near Newcastle, has adopted a range of arable options on his 300-hectare farm to help farmland birds.

He said: "We signed up to CSS in 2002. We have tree sparrow, which I never knew we had, as well as skylark and grey partridge here on the farm.

"Farmers have always known how important it is to look after the environment."

While existing CSS agreements will continue, the scheme has been replaced by the Environmental Stewardship Scheme, which is designed to conserve England's countryside.

This means more farmers will be able to help protect bird habitats on the land they look after.