Emberiza rustica is a widespread summer visitor to Fennoscandia and northern Russia, with Europe accounting for less than half of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is very large (>6,100,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970- 1990. Although the species declined in Finland and Sweden during 1990-2000, the trend of the stronghold population in Russia was unknown, and there was no evidence to suggest that the species declined overall.

Breeds in north Palearctic, in boreal zone, having expanded in modern times from more easterly regions. Favours moist and wooded lowland situations, especially growth of willow, birch, and poplar on margins of coniferous taiga forest by fens or river banks, or moist mosses. Winters in cool temperate climates, on open as well as wooded terrain.

Mid May to first half of June in Sweden, June in Lapland, May-July in North west Russia. Nest site is generally built on ground, often near water, in tussocky grass, moss cushions, among thick roots, etc., beside bush or tree or under overhanging grass, sedge, etc., or in depression in level ground. Sometimes bbove ground in tree or on stump. Nest is a foundation of grass, sedge, horsetail, moss, leaves, needles, lichen etc., lined with fine plant material, hair, and sometimes feathers. 4-5 eggs, incubation 11-13 days done by both sexes.

Mainly seeds, plus insects and spiders in breeding season. feeds on ground and in bushes, commonly in damp and marshy places, and much invertebrate prey associated with water. In forest, tosses leaves aside while foraging.

This species has a large range, with an estimated global extent of occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km2. It has a large global population, including an estimated 12,000,000-21,000,000 individuals in Europe (BirdLife International in prep.). Global population trends have not been quantified, but populations appear to be stable (Snow and Perrins 1998) so the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e., declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

All populations migratory. Western birds head east then south, and eastern birds head south or south-west, to reach winter quarters via south-east Russia and north-east China. Winters mainly in China and Japan. Migration prolonged in both seasons. In autumn, begins in August in northern Europe. Birds leave Sweden end of August to September. In Leningrad region, movement probably begins in last third of August, and peaks early or midSeptember; main migration ends in early October, with stragglers throughout month. Arrives in north-east China and Japan from mid-October. In spring, migrates through north-east China from late February, mostly to end of March, with small numbers to mid-April. In Leningrad region, passage usually begins in late April, but local birds arrive with main movement, in early May. First arrivals in southern Finland in early May, occasionally late April. Vagrant west and south of range both seasons in Europe. In Britain, now occurs annually; recorded in almost all months, suggesting some may overwinter.