RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT - Birdlife soars on nature-friendly solar farms

Birds across Eastern England's arable landscapes are thriving on solar farms managed with nature in mind. Research by scientists from the RSPB and University of Cambridge as part of the Centre for Landscape Regeneration has found that UK solar farms managed for nature could benefit birds, including threatened species like Corn Buntings, Greenfinches, Yellowhammers, and Linnets.

The UK is committed to reaching net zero by 2050, which means moving from fossil fuels to clean energy such as solar and wind. Areas of land devoted to solar farms are increasing but are sometimes assumed to be bad for nature.

"Our study shows that if you manage solar energy production in a certain way, not only are you providing clean energy but benefitting biodiversity," Dr Catherine Waite, Department of Zoology

The new research published in the journal Bird Study, found that – hectare for hectare – solar farms situated in agriculturally dominated East Anglia contained a greater number of bird species and overall number of individuals than surrounding arable land. This suggests that solar farms can provide biodiversity benefits in mixed-use landscapes. These numbers varied dramatically with solar farm management, with areas with a greater mix of habitats, managed specifically for nature co-benefits, having the greatest diversity - nearly three times as many birds compared to adjacent arable land.

"With lots of demands on UK land, finding ways and space to reverse the long-term declines in a range of farmland birds is challenging,. Species such as Corn Bunting, Greenfinch, Linnet and Yellowhammer have seen their populations dwindle and finding ways to help them is critical for their long- term survival," Dr Joshua Copping, lead author, RSPB

Copping said the results of this study suggest that solar farms managed well for nature could make an important contribution and could provide relief from the effects of agricultural intensification on these species and other wildlife in the surrounding landscape. 

Read the full University of Cambridge article

Solar farm management influences breeding bird responses in an arable-dominated landscape

Publication: Joshua P. Coppinga, Catherine E. Waite et al. ‘Solar farm management influences breeding bird responses in an arable-dominated landscape’ Bird Study (2025). DOI: 10.1080/00063657.2025.2450392

Image credit: Dr Joshua Copping, RSPB