Wildlife

Wild Skylark and Corn Bunting Recovery

Reviewing skylark and corn bunting conservation in 2026, noting progress and persistent challenges in farmland bird recovery.

Key Facts

Skylark plot schemes have achieved measurable breeding density increases at participating farms
Corn bunting populations continue declining overall despite localised recovery at managed sites
Agri-environment scheme participation correlates strongly with better farmland bird outcomes
UK exit from EU has created uncertainty about future agricultural support scheme design
Consumer demand for wildlife-friendly produce is growing but insufficient to drive transformation

Welfare Considerations

Skylark and corn bunting welfare in 2026 reflects the broader farmland bird crisis - progress at managed sites combined with ongoing decline at unmanaged ones. Individual birds at well-managed sites experience better welfare through improved food security and breeding success. The challenge is extending these welfare benefits from the minority of farms with agri-environment agreements to the mainstream of UK farmland. Policy design and consumer demand are the key levers.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB and GWCT farmland bird conservation and monitoring programmes
Advocate for expanded and better-funded agri-environment schemes with bird-specific requirements
Choose produce from farms with higher-tier agri-environment agreements