Wildlife

Linnet Welfare and Farmland Recovery Programmes

The linnet is a farmland bird that has declined severely due to agricultural intensification but is showing some recovery on farms participating in agri-environment schemes.

Key Facts

Population fell by 56% between 1970 and 2016
Nests in gorse, bramble, and dense scrubby hedges
Requires open farmland with weed seeds for food
Males have rose-red breast and forehead in breeding plumage
Agri-environment schemes with wild bird cover show clear benefit

Welfare Considerations

Linnets need a combination of dense scrub for nesting and open ground with seed-producing plants for food. The shift to autumn-sown cereals removed winter stubble seed sources. Wild bird seed crops and overwinter stubbles on farms directly benefit linnet survival and breeding success.

What You Can Do

Support farms with RSPB wildlife-friendly farming certification
Buy British food from farms with agri-environment agreements
Campaign for increased wild bird cover requirements
Create seed-rich habitat in gardens with native annuals
Record linnet sightings for BTO farmland bird surveys