Turtle doves and partridges among wild birds in steep decline in Britain

Farmland birds in Britain have declined to their lowest numbers ever recorded, despite efforts in some parts of the country to protect them from damaging changes to their habitats.

The number of birds that forage and nest on farmland has fallen 52% overall in the past 40 years, with some species, including turtle doves, grey partridges, starlings, tree sparrows and corn buntings down more than 80% over the same period.

The turtle dove is now the UK's most threatened farmland bird and in danger of being wiped from the British landscape entirely, conservationists said.

Other farmland species, including yellow wagtails, lapwings and greenfinches, are also in worrying decline. While most species are suffering from changes in land use and farming practices, the greenfinch is falling victim to the disease trichomoniasis.     More Read