THE number of farmland birds is continuing to fall in the UK despite efforts to increase wildlife-friendly farming practices, official figures show. Over the past five years, the farmland bird population has fallen by eight per cent, which represents a slowing down of the decline over the previous five years.
The Farmland Bird Index, which covers 19 species reliant on the farmed countryside, was revealed in the annual Wild Bird Indicator, published last month.
The farmland bird indicator has changed little since 2011, but in 2012 there were 50 per cent fewer farmland birds than in 1970. Most of the decline occurred between the late 1970s and early 1990s, which conservationists blame largely on rapid changes in farmland management.
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