PresentLimited/absentNigelBlake(rspb-images.com)The skylark can be fou - PDF document

PresentLimited/absentNigelBlake(rspb-images.com)The skylark can be found on allhighest on lowland arable andmixed farming systems. The UKskylark population fell by 53%between 1970 and 2004*. Thisdecline was largely caused by themove from spring to wintercereals, as well as by intensified*Data source: British Trust for OrnithologyThis brown farmland bird is best known for its loud, continuous warbling song, performed high in the air.Mid-field areas in which to nestSkylarks occupy open fields to avoidpredators. They cannot be conservedby measures taken within 10 metresof the field boundary.Seeds and weeds throughoutthe year.crops and weeds. Their strongwinter shows the importance of WHAT DO SKYLARKS NEED? March April ANNUALLIFECYCLEOFASKYLARKNesting habitat to produce upto three broods every year.Skylarks nest on the ground, inenough to give the birds easyaccess to the ground. They need tomake two or three nestingattempts between April and Augustsuch as winter wheat generallygrow too tall and thickto enablefields attract skylarks, but arespring and summer.Skylark chicks are fed exclusivelyon insects and spiders for the firstweek of life. These are also animportant part of the diet of adultsfrom April until August. Insects areBreeding seasonWinters in seed-rich areas, such as stubble fields Skylark FARMING FOR BIRDS 1st broods Distribution map showing the relative abundanceof skylarks in Britain and Ireland 1988-91 Provide suitable nesting habitat on arableskylark plots in winter cereals.Skylarks can nest successfully in late-cutare at least seven weeks apart. HOWCANIENCOURAGESKYLARKS? ¥Arable crops on livestock farms¥Beetle banks¥Buffer strips on cultivated land¥Hay and silage meadows¥Over-wintered stubbles¥Set-aside management¥Skylark plotswww.farmwildlife.info¥Leave rotational set-aside(ideally July) to provide both nesting¥Leave fixed set-aside uncut foras long as possible (August) and makeaside area to provide both nesting¥Include spring crops in the rotation toprovide more accessible nesting and¥Create skylark plots (smallundrilled patches) in winter cereals toboost nesting success. Two plots perhectare (approximately 20 meach) infields larger than five hectares canboost productivity by almost 50%.¥Create tussocky grass marginsaround arable fields to create over-which move into the crops in the Many of these guidelines may be funded by the Defra Environmental Stewardship Scheme.Youcan get further information on this and other ways of managing your farm for wildlife from: 223-1283-06-07RSPB regd charity no 207076 ¥Weedy over-winteredwinter-feeding habitat for skylarks onarable farms. The best stubbles arecereal stubbles that receive no pre-following March.¥Allow some grassland to go to seed atuncut and ungrazed through thewinter in areas away from hedgerows greater than 16 hectares to provideover-wintering habitat for beneficial¥Skylarks can nest successfully in haygrazed between early April and theend of May, and subsequent cuts areat least seven weeks apart.¥Skylarks can nestsuccessfully in grazed pastures if youcan maintain a tussocky sward with alow stock rate through the spring andsummer. Unimproved grasslandsmanaged without inputs often holdhigh densities of skylarks.¥Introduce arable crops on livestockfarms (other than maize) to provide = arable and mixed farms = pastoral farms = Entry Level Stewardship = Higher Level Stewardship = Set-aside Printed on environmentally-friendly paperAgricultural Adviser, The RSPB, UK Headquarters, The Lodge, Sandy,Bedfordshire SG19 2DLTel: 01767 680551 www.rspb.org.uk/farming Farming and Wildlife AdvisoryGroup, NAC, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2RX Tel: 024 7669 6699www.fwag.org.uk The Game Conservancy Trust,Fordingbridge, HampshireTel: 01425 652381www.gct.org.uk