Wildlife

Red-Listed Farmland Birds: Welfare and Agri-Environment Schemes in the UK

The UK's red list of birds of conservation concern is dominated by farmland species, and welfare-focused agri-environment schemes are central to reversing their decline.

Key Facts

Around 20 farmland bird species are on the UK red list of birds of conservation concern
The farmland bird index has declined by around 55% since 1970
Species including turtle dove, grey partridge, lapwing, corn bunting and yellowhammer are severely threatened
Agri-environment schemes pay farmers to provide food, nesting and foraging habitat

Welfare Considerations

Declining farmland bird populations mean individual birds face increasingly scarce food, nesting sites and cover, with reduced survival prospects and impaired breeding success. Welfare impacts from starvation during winter food shortages, nest failure, and predation are all elevated in fragmented, impoverished farmland habitats. Effective agri-environment schemes address welfare at population scale by restoring the habitats birds need.

What You Can Do

Support continued and enhanced agri-environment scheme funding for farmland birds post-Brexit
Choose food products from farms participating in higher-tier agri-environment schemes
Record farmland bird sightings and contribute to the Big Farmland Bird Count
Write to your MP about the importance of farmland bird conservation in agricultural policy