Wildlife

Wild Corn Bunting Advanced: Farmland Conservation Welfare

Corn bunting welfare recovery requires sustained agri-environment investment in winter food and breeding habitat.

Key Facts

UK corn bunting numbers declined by 90% from 1970-2010 with partial stabilisation in stewardship areas
Males sing from elevated song posts including telephone wires and fence posts
Winter flocks require seed-rich habitats including wild bird seed crops and unharvested grain
Strong territorial fidelity means that local extinctions are very slow to recover without active support

Welfare Considerations

Corn bunting welfare reflects the loss of mixed farming landscapes providing year-round food and nesting habitat. Recovery requires sustained agri-environment investment in both breeding and winter habitat because of the species' territorial fidelity. Each agri-environment agreement that includes corn bunting habitat options provides direct welfare benefit.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes funding corn bunting-friendly farm management
Advocate for continued farmland bird payments in agricultural subsidy post-Brexit
Report corn bunting sightings to county recording groups and BTO BirdTrack