'Too late to use name, if the bird has flown'

Analysis by the RSPB of Ordnance Survey data has revealed an increase in the number of new road names in Great Britain inspired by bird species that have undergone declines.

- with Angela Terry

The research shows a rise in the number of streets in new developments named after the skylark, starling, lapwing, swift, puffin and nightingale.

All these species are on the Red List of conservation concern with many populations having declined.

The UK has lost 53 per cent of its breeding skylarks, 62 per cent of its lapwings, 82 per cent of its starlings and 8 percent of its nightingale populations between 1970 and 2022, with 68 per cent of its swifts between 1995 and 2023, and a quarter of its puffins since 2000.

The data also reveals the presence of 'meadow' in road names has increased in the past 10 years despite the UK having lost 97 per cent of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s.