Helping farmland birds in the UK

Many birds are dependent on farming. Use the links to find detailed information on what they require and how to encourage them on your farm.

Cirl buntings are sparrow-sized buntings related to yellowhammers. They need thick, tall hedges for nesting, a good supply of seed in winter, and grasshoppers and other invertebrates to eat in spring and summer. More...

Corn bunting

Corn buntings are generally found on open arable and mixed farmland. They need a nesting habitat that remains available until the late summer, lots of seeds throughout the year, and insects and spiders to feed to chicks in the spring and summer. More...

Curlew

Curlews breed on open moorland, rough and damp pastures, unimproved hay meadows, and boggy ground; they occasionally use arable crops and silage fields. They need rough ground and tussocky vegetation for nesting from April to July and ground invertebrates during the breeding season. More...

Grey partridge

The grey partridge can be found in most farming systems except predominantly improved grasslands. It needs insects to feed to chicks in the spring and summer, lots of seeds throughout the year and safe nesting cover. More...

Lapwing

Lapwings can be found on all types of farmland, but are scarcer in purely arable or intensive grassland systems. They need bare ground or short vegetation for nesting from mid-March to June and lots of soil and ground invertebrates throughout the year. More...

Linnet

Linnets are found on farmland wherever there is a plentiful supply of seeds throughout the year. They need lots of seeds throughout the year and thick hedgerows and scrub for nesting. More...

Pink-footed goose

Internationally-important numbers of pink-footed geese now spend the winter in the UK. They feed in the arable farmland on post-harvest cereal stubbles, sugar beet tops and winter wheat crops. Damage to crops can be minimised with careful management. More...