Each year, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) releases official national statistics on our Wild Bird Populations, pulling together data from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), RSPB and Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). The latest report, covering trends from 1970 to 2024, paints a similarly stark picture to last year’s with many of our songbird species in serious decline.

Defra’s Wild Bird Populations National Statistics use “Wild Bird Indicators,” grouping species by the following habitats - farmland, woodland, uplands, wetlands, and coastal areas. Although this helps to track how bird populations are faring across different landscapes over time, the “Wild Bird Indicators” focus on a selected group of species - 19 farmland and 37 woodland species - and may not fully capture the broader biodiversity associated with these habitats.

Farmland and woodland habitats are especially important for songbirds, hosting both generalist species (adaptable to various habitats) and specialists (dependent on specific conditions). Unfortunately, specialists are struggling the most.

Farmland songbirds

Farmland birds have declined by 62% overall, with specialists down 75%. Specialists such as tree sparrows, corn buntings, and starlings have all dropped by over 80%. The yellowhammer has declined by 65%, and generalists like the yellow wagtail and greenfinch have also seen steep declines.

However, there are signs of recovery. Goldfinch numbers have more than doubled, and skylarks and jackdaws are showing modest gains. Targeted agri-environment schemes - like maintaining hedgerows and planting wild bird cover - are helping some species bounce back.

Woodland songbirds

Woodland songbirds have declined by 32% since 1970, with specialists again hit hardest. Willow tits and spotted flycatchers have dropped by over 90%, and redpolls, wood warblers, and tree pipits show similar declines in England.

Generalists have fared slightly better, though bullfinch (-53%) and song thrush (-46%) are notable exceptions. Chaffinches, blackbirds, and whitethroats have seen recent short-term declines, linked to disease.

On the brighter side, long-tailed tits are up 91%, and chiffchaffs, nuthatches, and blackcaps have seen major increases. Pied flycatchers, despite long-term decline, showed a 52% increase from 2023-2024.

Why are these songbirds declining?

• Agricultural intensification: Habitat fragmentation and changes to agricultural practices have reduced nesting sites and food availability for songbirds.
• Declining woodland quality: Poor management and increased deer browsing have reduced the quality of the little woodland habitat we have left.  
• Climate change: Migratory species face challenges in their wintering grounds.
• Disease: Trichomoniasis is affecting several species, especially greenfinches

References

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/Corn_Bunting_numbers_rise-again_in_east_Scotland-stronghold.aspx?s_id=592278737

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/press-centre/2025/06/uk-wildlife-declining-despite-more-tree-cover-major-new-report-reveals/  

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/wild-bird-populations-in-the-uk/wild-bird-populations-in-the-uk-and-england-1970-to-2024#breeding-farmland-bird-populations-in-the-uk-and-england

Explore more of the threats to our songbirds here https://www.songbird-survival.org.uk/who-we-are/the-issues/the-issues.

The SongBird Survival Team

If you are a scientist and would like to shine a light on your recent research covering songbirds here in the UK, then let us know! As a supporter of our charity, if you have ideas for blog posts you would like to see and topics you would like us to cover on #theSBSblog, please contact us at dawn-chorus@songbird-survival.org.uk or our Scientific Research and Impact Manager at emma@songbird-survival.org.uk.

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