Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Wakeham-Dawson, Andrew
• Szoszkiewicz, Krzysztof
• Stern, Karen
• Aebischer, Nicholas J

Titel

Breeding Skylarks Alauda arvensis on Environmental Sensitive Area Arable Reversion Grass in Southern England: Survey-Based and Experimental Determination of Density

Ist Teil von

• The Journal of applied ecology, 1998-01, Vol.35 (5), p.635-635

Erscheinungsjahr

1998

Quelle

Alma/SFX Local Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• The density of signing skylarks on two designated Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in southern England was determined on two types of arable land reversion-permanent grassland sown with agricultural grasses; and chalk downland sown with traditional chalk grass species. Skylark density was greater on chalk downland than on permanent grassland reversion, in swards above 15 cm in height and in fields without boundary scrub. Permanent grassland reversion lands did not support more skylarks than winter wheat or non-ESA lands. Skylark density declined after mowing in one ESA. Skylarks were more abundant in long-grazed fields compared with short-grazed fields. Chick food invertebrates and grass seed heads were more abundant in long-grazed fields compared with short-grazed fields. Grazing exclusion cages showed that ungrazed areas supported more invertebrates as well. New management strategies were developed for these ESAs to encourage taller swards, prevent mowing during the bird nesting season, and other practices that would benefit grassland birds.