How EU farming policies led to a collapse in Europe's bird population

Guardian: They have entranced generations with the beauty of their songs and glimpses of their plumage. But today the sound of the linnet and the vision of a turtle dove are becoming increasingly rare experiences for visitors to the European countryside. Indeed, according to a new survey, the chances of encountering any one of the 36 species of farmland birds in Europe – species that also include the lapwing, the skylark and the meadow pipit – are now stunningly low. Devastating declines in their numbers...

URL: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/may/26/eu-farming-policies-bird-population
Enclosure: http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Observer/Columnist/Columnists/2012/5/25/1337983715460/LAPWING-Vanellus-vanellus-008.jpg