Defra have published their Wild Bird Index for 2009 (from 1970) and results indicate a decline in many farmland birds, woodland birds, water and wetland birds, seabirds and wintering waterbirds breeding in the UK. The following tables shows breeding birds on the rise and those falling. Here at Vine House Farm we've certainly noticed a change in the species seen on the farm and in the garden. We've actually seen a rise in the number of Tree Sparrows - due mainly to the red millet we feed and the number of nest boxes we've put up. Barn Owl and Whitethroat have also been seen in abundance. Download the full Defra report here.

































Farmland Birds Woodland Birds Seabirds/waterbirds
On the rise Woodpigeon
Jackdaw
Goldfinch
Reed bunting		 Blackcap
Great spotted woodpecker
Green woodpecker
Nuthatch
Sparrowhawk
Wren
Robin
Great Tit
Long-tailed tit
Lesser whitethroat
Siskin		 Guillemot
Avocet
Whooper swan
Pink-footed goose
Black-tailed godwit
Falling Grey partridge
Turtle dove
Starling
Tree sparrow
Corn bunting
Yellow
Wagtail		 Wood warbler
Nightingale
Willow tit
Tree pipit
Spotted flycatcher
Lesser redpoll
Lesser spotted woodpecker
Blackbird
Bullfinch
Dunnock
Song thrush
Tawny owl		 Kittiwake Dunlin
Mallard
Pintail
Bear-tailed godwit