Wildlife

Corn Bunting Welfare on Arable Farmland

Corn buntings are the most rapidly declining farmland bird in the UK, having vanished from much of their former range due to changes in arable farming practices that have removed both nesting and winter feeding habitat.

Key Facts

Corn buntings have declined by 90% in the UK since the 1970s
Males are polygynous and may hold territories with multiple females
They require unimproved grassland for nesting and overwinter stubbles or seed plots for feeding
The species has been lost from Wales, Ireland and most of northern England

Welfare Considerations

Corn bunting welfare is catastrophically compromised by the intensification of arable farming. Loss of overwintered stubble, removal of hedgerows and elimination of mixed cropping have removed both nesting and winter feeding habitat. Without targeted management, remaining populations face continued isolation and decline.

What You Can Do

Support overwintered stubble retention in agri-environment agreements
Advocate for mixed farming systems that include spring-sown cereal crops
Record corn bunting sightings via BTO BirdTrack to contribute to range monitoring
Support the RSPB and Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust campaigns for farmland bird recovery