Wildlife

Farmland Grassland Birds and Agricultural Welfare

Traditionally managed grasslands support populations of nationally declining birds, and agricultural practices that maintain and restore grassland quality are essential for their welfare.

Key Facts

Curlew, lapwing, redshank, and snipe all breed in wet grassland habitats
Drainage improvement and silage cutting timing are primary drivers of grassland bird decline
Early silage cuts kill ground-nesting birds and chicks before they can fledge
Agri-environment schemes that delay cutting and maintain wet features support breeding birds
Some wading bird populations have declined by over 80% since the 1970s

Welfare Considerations

Ground-nesting birds whose nests and chicks are destroyed by farm machinery experience direct mortality and the loss of an entire breeding season's investment. Delayed mowing and maintained wet features allow chicks to fledge before machinery enters fields. These management changes impose real costs on farmers that require compensation through well-designed agri-environment payments.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes that include wader-friendly grassland management
Contact your MP to advocate for adequate funding for farmland bird payments
Donate to RSPB and Wildlife Trusts managing wet grassland reserves
Report breeding waders on farmland to your local Wildlife Trust
Choose food from farming systems with strong evidence of biodiversity support