Fear over declining bird population

England's farmland birds remain in long term decline, but small increases in their numbers last year could offer a "glimmer of hope" for struggling species, conservationists say.

According to statistics from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) the English farmland bird index, which covers 19 birds which live or breed on agricultural land, showed a continued trend in declining numbers.

But the raw data used to create the index showed a 4% increase in England farmland bird numbers between 2007 and 2008, while for the UK overall there was an increase of 1% in populations last year.

Wetland and woodland birds also saw rises in their populations.

The RSPB said continuing declining trends in farmland birds showed the importance of a voluntary new campaign by farmers and landowners - being launched next week - to improve habitat for wildlife such as birds.

Mark Avery, the RSPB's director of conservation, said: "These precious birds have been an important part of the English countryside for generations but in recent decades they have suffered huge declines.

"The RSPB is backing a major new initiative from the farming industry, the Campaign for the Farmed Environment, which is being launched next month in a concerted effort to bring wildlife back to our rural landscape."

The Campaign for the Farmed Environment aims to find ways to replicate the unintended benefits to wildlife of the EU policy of leaving a percentage of farmland fallow or "set aside" - a scheme introduced to prevent food mountains but abandoned in the face of high food prices last year.

The 19 species of farmland birds used as indicators for the health of the farmed countryside include nine birds which are "red listed" because of serious declines in their numbers such as the yellowhammer, skylark and grey partridge.

The RSPB believes farmland can be managed in a way that is beneficial to wildlife while still turning a profit for landowners.