Main areas of work are in farmland research, partly relating to upland pastoral zones, but mainly concentrating on lowland arable systems. In particular, I have studied the effects of farming practices and/or ‘sustainable’ farming methods on bird populations or assemblages. Examples include: (a) organising and analysing national surveys of ‘Set-aside’ and ‘Crops for Wintering Birds’, (b) intensive studies of mixed crop rotations and landscape effects on birds, and (c) assessing the effectiveness of farmland agri-environment schemes for bird conservation. Key inputs include government-funded work on seed-bearing crops for winter birds on farmland. This research fed details onto the development of arable options for the Countryside Stewardship agri-environment scheme (Wildbird seed mixtures). Work, in 2002, to assess progress within the Government’s Public Services Agreement for reversing farmland bird declines by 2020, was important in setting research agendas on lowland farmland birds during the early to mid 2000s (see Vickery et al. 2004).

More recently, links were forged with rural-development groups from neighbouring North Sea countries (www.farmersfornature.com) to provide the BTO with a broader, international view-point on tackling conflicts over rural development. Otherwise, species-based work has included survey development for breeding Nightjar and Woodlark, and foraging Swallows. Personal interests are in edge effects and transition zones and their special value to birds.

• Henderson, I.G., Holt, C., & Vickery, J.A. In press. National and regional patterns of habitat association with foraging Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica in the UK. Bird Study.
• The Colworth Farm Project. 2005. Putting sustainable agriculture to the test. Unilever, Sharnbrook
• Vickery, J.A., Bradbury, R.B., Henderson, I.G., Eaton, M.A. & Grice, P.V. 2004. The role of agri-environment schemes and farm management practices in reversing the decline of farmland birds in England. Biological Conservation 119, 19–39.
• Henderson, I.G., Vickery, J.A. & Carter, N. 2004. The use of winter bird crops by farmland birds in lowland England. Biological Conservation 118: 21-32.
• Henderson, I.G, Fuller, R.F., Conway, G.J. & Gough, S.J. 2004. Evidence for declines in populations of grassland associated birds in marginal upland areas of Britain. Bird Study 51, 12–19.
• Stoat, C., Henderson, I.G. & Parish, D.M.B. 2004. Development of and agi-environment scheme option: seed-bearing crops for farmland birds. In Vickery, J.A., Evans, A.D., Grice, P.V., Aebischer, N.J. & Brand-Hardy, R. Ecology and conservation of lowland farmland birds II: the road to recovery. Proceedings 2004 Leicester British Ornithologists’ Union Conference. Pp 203.
• Firbank, L.G., Smart, S.M., Crabb, J., Critchley, C.N.R., Fowbert, J.W., Fuller, R.L., Gladders, D.B., Green, D.B., Henderson, I. & Hill, M.O. 2003. Agronomic and economic costs and benefits of set-aside in England. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment 95, 73-85.
• Henderson, I.G., Wilson, A.M., Steele, D. & Vickery, J.A. 2002. Population estimates, trends and habitat associations of breeding Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Curlew Numenius arquarta and Snipe Gallinago gallinago in Northern Ireland in 1999. Bird Study 49, 17-25.
• Henderson, I.G., Critchley, N.R, Copper, J. & Fowbert, J.A. 2001. Breeding season response of Skylarks Alauda arvensis to vegetation structure in set-aside (fallow arable land). Ibis 143, 317-321.
• Henderson, I.G. & Evans , A.D. 2000. Responses of farmland birds to set-aside and its management. In Aebischer, N.J., Evans, A.D., Grice, P.V. & Vickery, J.A. Ecology and conservation of lowland farmland birds. Proceedings 1999 Southampton British Ornithologists’ Union Conference. Pp 69.
• Henderson, I.G., Vickery, J.A. & Fuller, R.J. 2000. Summer bird abundance and distribution on set-aside fields on intensive arable farms in England. Ecography 23, 50-59.
• Henderson, I.G., Cooper, J., Fuller, R.J. & Vickery, J.A. 2000. The summer abundance and distribution of birds on set-aside and neighbouring crops on arable farms in England. Journal of Applied Ecology, 37, 335-347.