Action needed to reverse 'serious decline' of farmland birds

Conservationists have called for action following the "serious decline" of UK farmland birds on grassland farmed for dairy, beef and sheep.

The RSPB has warned that the birds such as the grey partridge and corn bunting are all but extinct in parts of West Midlands, south-west and north-west England, while turtle doves are disappearing from south-western England and Wales.

More than 90% of farmed land in those areas is devoted to dairy and livestock production, the society said.

Heavily fertilised grass for silage, which is cut up to four times every year, has replaced traditional hay meadows in many areas – leaving ground-nesting birds such as skylarks and grey partridge no opportunity to raise young.

Research has found corn bunting, reed bunting, grey partridge and yellow wagtail numbers are now too low to count in many grassland regions.

Gethin Davis, Livestock Adviser at the RSPB, said: "Up until now, there has been very little help for dairy farmers keen to encourage wildlife on their farms and it is important that they know that these opportunities are now available."

The RSPB is working with farming industry partners, including the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, on an application for Defra funding for a network of demonstration farms, which will highlight measures that dairy farmers can take to help wildlife and the environment, without their incomes being affected.

Wildlife and agriculture should be thriving side by side and with farm payments changing from next year, dairy farmers will be able to help reverse farmland bird declines, and be paid for it, the RSPB said.

(gmcg/mb)