Wildlife

Wild Corn Bunting Farmland Welfare

The corn bunting is one of the UK's most declining farmland birds, dependent on cereal agriculture managed with appropriate food and nesting conditions.

Key Facts

UK corn bunting populations fell 90% between 1970 and 2008
They nest on the ground in cereal fields and are vulnerable to crop management timing
Winter seed food availability is critical for winter survival
Agri-environment scheme uptake for corn bunting habitat is limited
Males are polygynous and require large territories with diverse habitat structure

Welfare Considerations

Corn bunting decline represents population-level welfare harm from agricultural intensification. Individual birds face food stress in winter and nest failure from farming operations. Targeted agri-environment management - maintaining winter seed food and protecting nesting areas - provides direct welfare benefit to remaining populations.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes targeted at farmland birds including corn bunting
Record corn bunting sightings for national monitoring
Advocate for stronger agri-environment scheme requirements in your country