SOME endangered wild bird populations are recovering thanks to conservation measures, the Government says.

Environment Minister Elliot Morley said wetland birds such as redshank, lapwing and snipe have all benefited from Defra-sponsored conservation work in North Yorkshire.

Responding to the publication of the 2003 figures for wild bird populations, Mr Morley said: "It is encouraging to see that scarce birds like the woodlark and Dartford warbler are on the increase.

"For farmland birds, it is good to see the graph flattening out at last.

"However, there are still some worrying declines in farmland specialists such as turtle dove and corn bunting, so we must continue our efforts to address the underlying problems."

George Westgarth, owner of Newsham Hall Farm, near Richmond, used a Defra Countryside Stewardship Grant to create a wetland, which has attracted barnacle geese and Bewick swans migrating from Greenland.

Mr Westgate has also used other conservation measures, such as wildlife seed mixes, arable field margins, managed hedgerows and rotating arable crops to encourage tree sparrows, buntings and finches.