A worrying number of Britain's birds are in population freefall. We have lost well over half of our familiar house sparrows and starlings over the last twenty-five years, songbirds haven't much to sing about these days and many birds of woodland, wetland and upland are now living on a wing and a prayer. Armed with a field guide and a half-decent pair of binoculars, Charlie Elder travels the length and breadth of the British Isles to spot forty bird species in serious decline - the UK's Red List. He looks at why their numbers have fallen, what efforts are being made to encourage their recoveries and meets experts and enthusiasts who are working to make a difference. He also examines just why birds matter in the first place and considers the role of the birdwatcher - one species that is certainly not in decline. "While Flocks Last" will fascinate the vast swathe of people who are interested in birds, as well as those concerned about conservation issues. Charlie Elder's humorous and personable approach will appeal to those wearied by doom and gloom environmentalism but keen to know more about where all our birds have gone...