Wildlife

Wild Animal Welfare and UK Farmland Bird Recovery 2026

Farmland bird populations are showing signs of recovery in agri-environment scheme areas, with welfare and conservation benefits for affected species.

Key Facts

UK farmland bird index declined 57% between 1970 and 2016 but has stabilised in recent years
Agri-environment scheme areas show 2-3 times higher farmland bird densities than unmanaged farmland
Wild bird seed mixtures provide critical winter food for buntings, sparrows, and finches
Skylark plots (unharvested areas in crops) support nesting in areas of otherwise unsuitable arable habitat
Higher Tier agri-environment agreements target the most critical farmland bird habitats

Welfare Considerations

Farmland bird recovery shows that targeted management delivers welfare and conservation results. Scaling agri-environment schemes delivers welfare benefits across millions of hectares.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment scheme funding in agricultural policy consultations
Participate in farmland bird monitoring surveys
Advocate for wild bird seed mixes and skylark plots in farm support requirements