Wild bird species face an accelerating decline in the UK, figures show, with some species heading for local extinction. In some areas, rare bird species such as turtle doves are now making a comeback as farmers create habitats and farm more sustainably. Alice Groom, RSPB’s head of sustainable land use policy, said: “New data shows once again concerning declines in farmland birds. What we’ve seen for the past 50 years – that yellowhammers, turtle doves, lapwing, and other farmland birds are in a dramatic freefall. Through record investment in nature-friendly farming, we are putting the foundations in place to reverse this trend and ensure the recovery of our bird populations”.