Europe's most rapidly declining birds

The crested lark suffered a 95% decline between 1980 and 2005 - the greatest decline of any of the 124 European birds analysed. Its demise is mainly attributed to the increasing intensification of farming Photograph: Hans Schouten/Foto Natura/Getty

The lesser spotted woodpecker has suffered a 81% decline in numbers. It is a regular nesting bird in the UK Photograph: rspb-images.com

The grey partridge has seen a 79% decline in numbers. In the UK, it faces additional threats from being shot by people who mistake it for the more common and introduced red-legged partridge Photograph: Mike Wilkes/Nature Picture Library/Rex Features

The wryneck used to be a regular nesting bird in the UK, but following a 74% decline, it is now effectively extinct in the UK as a breeding bird Photograph: Adri Hoogendijk/Foto Nat/Getty

The wheatear has suffered a 70% decline in numbers. It is a summer visitor to Britain, breeding mainly in western and northern Britain and western Ireland. It winters in central Africa Photograph: Rino Burgio/Foto Natura/Getty

The nightingale, famous for the song it sings day and night from April to June, has witnessed a 63% decline. It is no longer such a common sight throughout southern Europe Photograph: David Tipling/Getty

The turtle dove has declined by 62% across Europe and is no longer a familiar sight in the UK countryside Photograph: Mike Wilkes/Nature Picture Library/Rex Features

The willow tit has declined by more than 58%. It is found all year round in England and Wales in damp places, such as the edge of lowland peat bogs, marshes, and around gravel pits Photograph: Tim Laman/Getty

The lapwing population has halved over 26 years. It is a farmland bird. Of the 10 common European birds showing the greatest decline, five live on farmland Photograph: Niall Benvie/Corbis

The serin has declined by 41%. It has nested in England on several occasions Photograph: Frits Van Daalen/Foto Natura/Getty