Wildlife

Wild Animal Welfare and UK Farmland Bird 2026 Summary

A summary of UK farmland bird welfare and conservation in 2026, reviewing progress and priorities for the coming year.

Key Facts

UK farmland bird index has stabilised in agri-environment scheme areas after decades of decline
Grey partridge, lapwing, and corn bunting show recovery in targeted management areas
Skylark populations remain significantly below historical levels despite conservation efforts
Turtle dove is approaching extinction and requires emergency intervention
Higher-tier agri-environment agreements are more effective than lower-tier agreements for farmland birds

Welfare Considerations

UK farmland bird welfare in 2026 shows genuine progress in agri-environment areas alongside persistent challenges. Scaling successful approaches and addressing the most critically threatened species are priorities.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment scheme funding in agricultural policy
Advocate for turtle dove emergency action programs
Participate in farmland bird monitoring to track population trends