Wildlife

Rook Welfare and Traditional Rookery Conservation

Rooks are highly colonial nesters in tall trees, forming traditional rookeries used for generations, and have declined significantly with the loss of permanent pasture and old elm trees.

Key Facts

Population declined by around 20% between 1970 and 2016
Form large communal rookeries in tall broadleaved trees
Feed predominantly on soil invertebrates especially earthworms and leatherjackets
Loss of elm trees through Dutch elm disease removed many traditional rookery sites
Foraging habitat quality depends on permanent pasture with healthy soil fauna

Welfare Considerations

Rook welfare is tied to the availability of permanent pasture with abundant soil invertebrates. Conversion of grassland to arable, compaction, and pesticide use reduces earthworm availability. Rookery sites are used for generations and any disturbance during the nesting season causes colony-wide disruption.

What You Can Do

Maintain permanent pasture and avoid unnecessary cultivation
Support agri-environment schemes that maintain grassland soil health
Never disturb rookeries during the February to June nesting period
Plant tall broadleaved trees to provide future rookery sites
Record rookery locations for BTO monitoring