Action Plan: Farmland Birds
The arable land, grasslands, hedges and hedgerow trees of Northumberland provide important nesting habitat for a range of migratory and resident species of birds. Some of these species are internationally, nationally or regionally important or their populations are at extremities of the range.
Farmland birds are included in the national index of wild bird populations, linking them to the Government’s Public Service Agreement (PSA) target which seeks to reverse the long term decline of these species by 2020. The farmland species included in the North East Regional index are:
- Corn bunting
- Goldfinch
- Greenfinch
- Grey partridge
- Jackdaw
- Kestrel
- Lapwing
- Linnet
- Reed Bunting
- Rook
- Skylark
- Starling
- Stock Dove
- Tree Sparrow
- Whitethroat
- Woodpigeon
- Yellow wagtail
- Yellowhammer
The crop growing and harvesting seasons provide both a vital feeding resource and shelter for a range of birds. Those species that are resident to the UK rely on suitable habitat to ensure survival through the winter.
