Farmland birds in severe decline and sharp drop in seabird numbers, figures show

Farmland birds such as turtle doves have seen severe declines since the 1970s (Alamy/PA) -

Conservationists have warned that British birds are being “pushed past their limits” as official figures showed ongoing declines in species in all habitats.

Data from the Environment Department (Defra) shows severe declines for farmland birds, with populations tumbling 62% since the 1970s and 11% in the past five years alone, with species such as turtle doves, grey partridges, tree sparrows and starlings particularly struggling.