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• Named for missing nature?
• Huge public support for nature
• A road name is no replacement for the real thing

A study of Ordnance Survey data has revealed a huge increase in the number of new road names inspired by bird species that have undergone shocking declines and continue to be pushed closer to the brink.

In our analysis of OS Open Names data for Great Britain covering 2004 to 2024, we have found steep increases in the number of streets in new developments named after birds that are declining in the wild.

Named for missing nature?

Streets named for Skylarks, for example, have gone up 350%. Meanwhile the UK’s breeding population has dropped by a shocking 53% in recent years.

Other species that are on the rise in terms of street names are: Starling (up 156%), Lapwing (104%), Swift (58%), Puffin (54%) and Nightingale (37%).

Yet, all these species are on the Red List of conservation concern, with all suffering declines in recent decades.

The UK has lost 53% of its breeding Skylarks, 62% of its Lapwings, 82% of its Starlings and 89% of its Nightingale populations between 1970 and 2022, along with 68% of its Swifts between 1995 and 2023, and nearly a quarter (23%) of its Puffins since 2000.

OS data also shows that the presence of ‘meadow’ in road names increased by 34% between 2004 and 2024. This is despite the UK having lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s.

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Huge public support for nature

The increase in bird or nature-related street names would seem to speak to our innate love for wildlife. Yet conversely the UK is now one of the most nature depleted countries on earth, with the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill threatening to drive further declines.

Separate research published by More in Common found that people don’t want new homes to be built at nature’s expense. Only 20% of Britons think environmental standards should be weakened to build more houses, while 72% of the public think more positively of politicians who say, "New housing and infrastructure should integrate with the natural world, not destroy it". Two-thirds (67%) say politicians are out of touch with the public’s values on nature.

Beccy Speight, RSPB Chief Executive, explains: “This analysis shows councils and developers are happy to name streets after the nature we love while efforts to prevent these birds disappearing from our skies remain woefully inadequate. If we carry on down this road and fail to halt nature’s decline, rusting street signs may be one of the few perverse reminders of everything we’ve lost. We deserve to enjoy the sounds of a Nightingale in full song or Swifts screaming overhead, rather than living in silent streets with ironic names. Our future resilience depends on it.

“The UK Government appears oblivious not only to how much people care about nature in this country, but to how critical a thriving natural world is to our economy. We know that thoughtful planning from the beginning could help balance the many competing demands, and that development and growth can go hand in hand with nature’s recovery".

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A road name is no replacement for the real thing

RSPB President and GP Dr Amir Khan said the findings were a reminder of the need to protect wildlife and the places it needs to thrive:

“Nature is undeniably popular – the RSPB has more members than all UK political parties combined. It’s no surprise to see use of nature names and motifs in road names increasing when we know nature brings us a sense of connection and supports our wellbeing – combating low mood, lowering blood pressure and reducing stress and anxiety.

“But a road name is no replacement for the real thing and I anticipate that, like myself, most UK residents would be saddened to learn about the species declines that are going on in the background of the place they call home. It’s a visceral reminder of why we must raise our voices to push to keep protections for our most precious places and species.”

Deborah Meaden, business leader and RSPB Ambassador, said: “You’d be hard pushed to hear the iconic screaming call of Swifts on a new development, but it seems you might spot a Swift Close. In principle it’s fantastic to see local authorities and business recognising people’s love of nature on new developments, but we need to see tangible action to halt and reverse nature loss, not just building with nature road names for the sake of the bottom line. Nature must be considered upfront in the planning system, not as an afterthought being compensated for in road names or anything else.”

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