Farms providing supplementary feeding are supporting higher numbers of declining farmland bird species, according to the results of the 2026 Big Farmland Bird Count.
The annual survey, organised by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and sponsored by the NFU, recorded 275,024 birds across 292,828 hectares of farmland. More than 1200 submissions were received from farmers and land managers throughout the UK despite challenging weather conditions.
Researchers found that 64% of participating farms provided supplementary feeding, while 67% were enrolled in agri-environment schemes.
In total, 69,222 red-listed birds from 34 species were recorded. Starling topped the list with 25,306 birds counted, followed by lapwing at 19,198 and fieldfare at 15,816.
Jayna Connelly, science communicator at the GWCT, said the results show that well-managed farmland continues to provide important winter habitat for species facing long-term declines.
“The BFBC data shows that many farmland species which are declining nationally as breeders can be found in large winter numbers on farmland,” she said.
“Red-listed farmland specialists such as starling, lapwing and linnet continue to feature strongly in the counts despite severe long-term declines.”
However, she cautioned that while supplementary feeding and habitat improvements provide valuable support during winter, they have not fully addressed the factors driving wider population declines during the breeding season.
NFU vice president Robyn Munt said the findings highlighted the role farmers play in supporting biodiversity alongside food production.
“It is really encouraging to see farmers and growers continually engaging with the Big Farmland Bird Count,” she said.
“These findings provide a valuable data set and are an important indicator that farmers and growers can sustainably produce food whilst supporting outcomes for nature.”
The GWCT said the survey continues to provide valuable evidence of how on-farm conservation measures can benefit wildlife, while helping inform future agri-environment policy and funding decisions.
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