Wing and a prayer Birds on the verge of disaster

Corn buntings, grey partridge and tree sparrows are among species hit by “severe” declines of more than 90 per cent since 1970.

Capercaillie and willow tit saw a similar reduction while yellow wagtail declined by more than 67 per cent over the long-time period, kestrel by 50 per cent and greenfinch by 46 per cent.

Farmyard lapwing numbers dropped by 17 per cent from 2010 to 2015.