Wild Animal Welfare

Wild Corn Bunting Farmland Welfare

Corn bunting populations have declined catastrophically with agricultural intensification - targeted farmland management enables individual breeding success.

Key Facts

UK corn bunting populations have declined 90% since the 1970s
They require diverse crop mosaics with winter stubble, rough grassland, and insect-rich margins
Male corn buntings are polygynous, often with 2-3 mates in good habitat
Loss of winter stubble eliminated critical food supplies during the most difficult season
Corn bunting populations have stabilised in areas with agri-environment scheme adoption

Welfare Considerations

Individual corn buntings in areas with agri-environment scheme adoption find the habitat diversity they need for successful breeding. Each farm that adopts bird-friendly management directly benefits identifiable local corn bunting populations.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes that target corn bunting-friendly farmland management
Advocate for winter stubble retention requirements in arable farming schemes
Engage with the RSPB and BTO corn bunting monitoring and conservation programmes