The annual nationwide survey, organised by the GWCT (Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust) and sponsored by the NFU, provides a vital snapshot of the health of our cherished farmland birds.
The GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count was first held in 2014 and is the first nationwide citizen science project to involve farmers in monitoring the state of farmland songbirds.
The count aims to raise awareness of the important role farmers play in the conservation of farmland birds, and to measure the impact of the conservation work that many farmers and wildlife managers carry out.
New digital platform to make reporting easier
This year, the GWCT has launched a new digital platform to make the process of recording your results easier.
Data will be recorded on a new app. You can input results instantly while you're out in the field or from the comfort of your home. The app can be downloaded on any mobile phone or tablet.
You still have the option to fill in a paper version of the count sheet and sending this to the GWCT, or inputting it yourself, later.
“As last year’s Big Farmland Bird Count showed, schemes such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive make a tangible difference in the environmental work farmers do.”
NFU Deputy President David Exwood
How to get involved
Visit GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count and follow these three simple steps:
- Download the GWCT's new app or print off a count sheet.
- Pick a day between 6 and 22 February and spend around 30 minutes recording both the species and number of birds seen on your chosen area of the farm.
- Simply submit your results through the app or post them to the GWCT.
Take part and make a difference
NFU Deputy President David Exwood said the NFU was proud to once again be supporting the Big Farmland Bird Count.
“British farmers and growers are the guardians of our iconic landscapes and whether it’s protecting pre-existing habitats or planting hedgerows, their passion for the great British countryside shines through in all the work they do.
“Much of this hard work is made possible through the invaluable environmental land management schemes that help farmers bring their passion for nature to life. As last year’s Big Farmland Bird Count showed, schemes such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive make a tangible difference in the environmental work farmers do. We know as farmers the good work that is happening on farms right across the country to support farmland birds, this is our chance to prove it.
"We look forward to working with Defra to develop policies that will unlock the potential of UK agriculture and ensure farmers are rewarded for the public goods they deliver for the environment alongside producing food for 70 million consumers.”
Tips to help make a change
The GWCT suggests a few changes can make a big difference:
- Adopt effective conservation measures, such as providing supplementary winter feeding or growing crops specifically to provide seed for birds.
- Provide extra winter seed food. Supplementary feeding is particularly beneficial for birds of conservation concern like grey partridge, yellowhammer and corn bunting.
- Use ‘conservation headlands’ – wide field margins where little or no pesticides are used – to encourage insect populations and safe nesting habitat.
How does the count work?
The GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count asks farmers and land managers to spend 30 minutes recording the bird species they see on their land as part of an annual nationwide survey which helps to identify any species which are struggling.
The count is a simple way for farmers to assess the natural capital on farm, and to chart the effects of any conservation they carry out. It also helps demonstrate the impact of the government’s Environmental Land Management schemes.
Completing it year after year can help to establish the biodiversity gains from long-term conservation efforts.
2025 results
During 2025 nearly 359,000 birds were spotted during 1,332 surveys:
- Starling, woodpigeon and pink-footed goose were the most abundant species recorded.
- 26 species on the Red List were spotted totalling 139,102 individual birds.
- 44% of farms provide supplementary feed to help birds through winter.
- 65% of participants are in an agri-environment scheme.
While there were decreases in the sightings of some species such as long-tailed tits and curlews, recordings of red-listed common gulls were up 112% and sightings of amber-listed kestrals increased by 182%.
Dr Roger Draycott, GWCT’s Director of Advisory, said: “Collecting data such a this is vital if we want to demonstrate that agri-environmental schemes do not only help us to reverse the decline in our farmland birds, but are also crucial if the government wants to meet its target of halting the decline in nature by 2030.”
