Wild Wednesday - Yellowhammer
If you've ever wandered through the rolling chalk hills of the South Downs and heard a bird singing what sounds like 'a little bit of bread and no cheese', you've likely met the Yellowhammer - a striking farmland bird with a bright yellow head and breast, and a song as distinctive as its plumage.
The Yellowhammer, scientific name Emberiza citronella, is a member of the bunting family and a familiar sight in open countryside, especially where hedgerows and scrub meet arable farmland. Males are particularly eye-catching, with their vivid yellow colouring and chestnut streaks, while females are more subtly marked.
These birds are ground nesters, often choosing grassy field margins or the base of hedgerows to raise their young. Their diet mainly consists of seeds, supplemented by insects during the breeding season.
The South Downs National Park, which stretches across Hampshire and Sussex, provides vital habitat for Yellowhammers. Conservation efforts under the 'South Downs Farmland Bird Initiative' have aimed to support species like the Yellowhammer by encouraging nature-friendly farming practices. These include:
- wildflower margins for feeding
- hedgerow planting for nesting
- winter seed provision to support birds outside the breeding season
Despite these efforts, recent surveys show that Yellowhammer sightings have declined by nearly 20% in the region. This mirrors national trends and highlights the challenges faced by farmland birds due to habitat loss and changes in agricultural practices.
If you are keen to see Yellowhammers in the wild, head to areas around Chichester, Singleton, Treyford, and Bepton, where farmland bird monitoring is actively taking place. The South Downs Way also offers excellent opportunities for birdwatching, with Yellowhammers often seen flitting between hedgerows or singing from fence posts.
Yellowhammers are considered a red-listed species, meaning they are of high conservation concern in the UK. Their presence is a key indicator of healthy farmland ecosystems. Supporting them helps not just one species, but a whole web of wildlife that depends on traditional countryside habitats.
How can you help?
Whether you are a farmer, walker, or wildlife enthusiast, show your support by:
- leaving hedgerows untrimmed during nesting season
- planting native shrubs and wildflowers
- report sightings to local bird monitoring groups
Read more here: Yellowhammer | The Wildlife Trusts
Photo credit to Piers Fearick.