Wild bird populations in the UK continue to decline, despite government pledges to halt nature loss by 2030.

New government data reveals that bird numbers have fallen across all species in the last five years, impacted by habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and bird flu. Overall, bird populations have declined by 2% UK-wide and by 7% in England since 2018.

Farmland birds are among the worst affected, with numbers plunging by 61% over the long term (since 1970) and 9% in the last five years. Woodland bird populations have also declined significantly, with a 35% long-term reduction and a 10% decrease in the short term.

Certain species have suffered dramatic declines. Turtle doves, for example, have decreased by 54% in the past five years, while tree sparrows have declined by 25% across the UK and 35% in England over the same period.

The decline of farmland birds is primarily attributed to habitat loss. Changes in land use have reduced hedgerows, trees, and vegetation needed for nesting. Additionally, pesticide and fertiliser use has decreased insect populations, an essential food source for many bird species.

However, some farmers adopting wildlife-friendly practices have reported anecdotal improvements in turtle dove numbers.

Experts warn that without urgent action, some species may face extinction.

Kathryn Brown, director of climate change and evidence at the Wildlife Trusts, said: “The decline of wild birds across the UK is tragic. These latest figures are particularly alarming, given the downward trend across all bird species in recent years. Habitat loss, pollution and climate change are all factors that have contributed to these worrying declines.

“The UK government must take action to restore at least 30% of UK land for nature by 2030 to give birds like hawfinch, nightingales and warblers a fighting chance. Without concerted action to restore nature at scale, there is a significant risk that many bird species could be reclassified from endangered to extinct from Britain.”

The true scale of the crisis may be understated, as the data does not account for significant seabird losses caused by bird flu, which devastated populations from 2022 onward. This omission suggests the actual decline in bird numbers could be even more severe than reported.

Prof Richard Gregory, head of species monitoring at the RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science, said: “Results are mixed but what is most striking is that recent trends are predominantly downwards, a pattern most pronounced in England in nearly all groups of birds. That’s a real worry given ambitions to halt and reverse species trends. Now more than ever we need positive action at greater scale to help our birds and to halt and reverse losses.”

 

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