The decline of the corn bunting Milaria Calandra has been one of the most rapid in the UK and the species has therefore been included on the `middle' list of the Biodiversity Steering Group's Report Biodiversity: the UK Action Plan. To help determine the targets for this species and to focus conservation action at the real causes of decline it is essential that any action is underpinned by detailed biological information. The papers and posters presented at this symposium make an important contribution to the science that will underlie the conservation action plan for these birds.