The corn bunting has declined by over 90% since the 1970s and is now extinct as a breeder in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, surviving only in cereal farming strongholds in England.
Corn bunting welfare is in crisis at population level with near-extinction across much of former range. Individual birds in remaining English strongholds depend on agri-environment schemes providing the weedy margins, insect-rich grassland, and winter seed they need. Without ambitious policy support, further declines are inevitable.