THE region's wild bird populations appear to be doing well.

A recent report from the Department for the Environment states that North-East populations, including farmland and woodland birds, rose by 14pc between 1994 and 2002, while Yorkshire enjoyed an 8pc increase, in line with national trends.

North-East farmland birds rose by 16pc, with goldfinch and rook doing particularly well, while woodland species enjoyed a 31pc increase with blackcap and robin faring particularly well.

Nationally, overall numbers changed little although farmland and woodland birds showed a slight decline.

North-East farmers Nigel Sanderson and Stuart Anderson have seen increases in several species, including grey partridge, since joining the Countryside Stewardship scheme.

Mr Anderson and his wife, Daphne, run a 200-acre mixed farm at Farnless, Bishop Middleham, and drew birdwatchers from across the country when a rare bee eater was spotted there in 2002.

"I had never really thought much about the kind of birds and wildlife we have here until 2002," said Mr Anderson. "After the bee eaters were spotted, the RSPB counted 138 different species including tree sparrow and corn bunting."

It motivated him to sign up to the stewardship scheme.

"We are now filling in the gaps in the hedges and creating a 'scrape' - a large shallow area of water - for wading birds such as lapwing.

"We're planning to install a bird hide and a parking area, so birdwatchers can come and see the many species we have here."

Mr Sanderson runs a 500-acre mixed farm near Ashington and joined the scheme six years ago. He has also signed a new arable options agreement which takes some land out of production to provide habitat for birds.

A range of different habitats, the planting of wild birdseed mixtures, grassy margins and providing over-winter stubbles have all proved beneficial.

"We've already seen an increase in grey partridge numbers and we also have many other species including tree sparrows, yellow hammers, corn bunting, lapwings, woodcock and various finches," he said.

In Yorkshire, species doing exceptionally well include grey heron and stock dove.

Farmland numbers showed no overall significant change although reed bunting and grey partridge numbers were down.

Woodland populations increased by 22pc with chiffchaff doing particularly well.