The South East Essex RSPB has been working very closely with Southend Council on its Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) The Skylark has been included in this plan so that improved monitoring, awareness raising, and habitat protection can all be targeted. Southend council and partnership organisations are working hard to achieve these targets. However, these targets can only be met with community support. A Skylark Group is also being set up. Skylarks are particularly at risk from disturbance and habitat loss so the most important priority is monitoring of Skylark sites and to raise awareness of the needs of the species. We are looking for people who regularly visit Skylark sites, such as dog walkers, who are keen to help with their conservation and monitoring.
The Skylark populations are declining in almost all countries of northern and western Europe. In the UK, the population halved during the 1990s, and is still declining. In the preferred habitat of farmland, Skylarks declined by 75% between 1972 and 1996. The main cause of this decline is considered to be the widespread switch from spring to autumn-sown cereals, which has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of chicks raised each year. Autumn-sown cereals are taller and denser throughout the season. Fewer birds nest there, and those that do are unable to raise as many broods as birds in spring-sown crops. Many nesting attempts are on or close to tramlines (tractor tracks that are used to apply the many sprays to the crop), which makes the nests vulnerable to ground predators. Winter food supply is also scarce in the absence of stubbles, which are favourite feeding places. Increased use of insecticides and weedkillers are likely to remove an important part of the food source. In grassland habitats intensification has also been detrimental. Increased stocking densities on grazing land have made the grass too short for Skylarks, and increased the risk of nests being trampled. A switch from hay to silage has resulted in many nests being destroyed by the cutting machinery, since the period between cuts is often too short for successful nesting. The Skylark is fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to kill, injure or take an adult Skylark, or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents. The only exception is legitimate farming practices that cannot be reasonably delayed, although farming methods can often be modified to reduce the impact on the Skylarks. Skylarks are ground-nesting birds and will breed from April to early August. Spring temperatures trigger the start of the breeding season. Choice of nesting site is influenced by the height and density of the crop. Ideal vegetation height is 20-50 cm. Skylarks generally hold the same territory throughout the season, and stop breeding activity when the vegetation becomes unsuitable for nesting. Highest densities are found in set-aside and spring-sown cereals, lowest in autumn-sown cereals and pasture. Skylarks advertise their territories by a spectacular song-flight, during which the bird rises almost vertically with rapid wing-beats, hovering for several minutes and then parachuting down. Song flights of up to one hour have been recorded, and the birds can reach 1,000 feet before descending. The nest is a hollow on the ground, lined by the female with leaves, grasses and hair. She lays 2-6 grey-white, thickly spotted eggs, and incubates them for 11 days. Both parents feed the chicks on insects for their first week, then gradually introduce small quantities of shoots and seeds for a mixed diet. Although the chicks leave the nest when only about eight days old, they fledge at 18-20 days of age, and are fully independent at 25 days. The whole cycle lasts 37 days. Skylarks raise up to four broods in a season if suitable habitat is available. They must have at least two or three successful broods to maintain the population. The vast majority of cereal crops are now sown in the autumn, and these grow tall so early in the year that the birds are often able to raise only one brood. Birds in spring-sown cereals nest at twice the density and raise around three times as many chicks as birds nesting in autumn-sown crops. The area of winter cereal has increased at the expense of spring cereal, and the resultant reduction in reproductive output is believed to be the main reason for the population declines. Skylarks also commonly nested in grass grown for winter stock feed, but the switch from hay to silage means that the grass is cut too frequently to allow birds to breed successfully. The Skylark can be found on all farm types. Densities are highest on lowland arable and mixed farming systems. The UK Skylark population fell by 52% between 1970 and 1998*. This decline was caused by the move from spring to winter cereals, as well as intensified grassland management. *Data source: British Trust for Ornithology.
Biodiversity Action Plans The Government agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1995. The targets for this plan have recently been reviewed and are as follows:
The Southend Biodiversity Action Plan local objectives regarding the Skylark reads as follows:
The skylark is common and widespread throughout Essex although it is thought there has been a steady decline of the breeding population that mirrors the national trend. RSPB Rainham Marsh has supported around 100 breeding pairs for the last 5 years a clear demonstration that other habitats are as important as farmland for this species. Current Status in Southend on Sea Most skylarks are located in open grassland in Southend on Sea, predominantly along its borough boundary to the north where open land, playing fields, golf courses and allotment sites occur. The Skylark has been recorded on the other sites such as the Old Ranges at Shoeburyness. Any open grassland that is not cut frequently may have the potential to attract this species. Current Factors affecting the Species
On Set-aside:
Use a mix of natural regeneration on rotational set-aside for seed food and
grass cover on non-rotational set-aside for nesting habitat.
Good set-aside management is a cheap and easy way to help Skylarks on arable
land. Delay the use of broad-spectrum herbicide on rotational set-aside until
July to provide important feeding and nesting habitat for Skylarks in the
spring. However, spraying is preferable to cutting or cultivating.
You can create nesting cover by putting a low yielding field or a 20 metre
strip through the middle of a large field into non-rotational set-aside.
Establish a green cover by natural regeneration or sowing a native grass mix.
Cut on or just before 15 August. Make use of the option to leave 25% uncut on
a rotational basis around the set-aside area. On grassland:
Skylarks can nest in silage fields. However, these nests are only successful
if the field is not cut or grazed between early April and the end of May.
Subsequent cuts must be at least six weeks apart.
It may be more practical to return an unproductive, sparse grass ley to hay
meadow management. This could provide a safer nesting habitat.
Introduce arable fodder crops (other than maize) to provide feeding and
nesting habitat in pastoral areas.
Skylarks can nest in grazed pasture if you can maintain a tussocky sward with
a low stock rate through the spring and summer.
The Skylark (Alauda arvensis) is a small brown bird, somewhat larger than a sparrow but smaller than a starling. It is streaky brown with a small crest, which can be raised when the bird is excited or alarmed, and a white-sided tail. The wings also have a white rear edge, visible in flight. It is renowned for its display flight, vertically up in the air. Its recent and dramatic population declines make it a Red List species. Where does it live? The Skylark is found mainly in lowland farming areas, preferring those with a covering of grass or low green herbage, but it may also be found in suitable upland grassy areas. It is generally found in open habitats and avoids isolated trees and tall hedges. Wintering In winter it prefers stubble fields, root crops and young pasture. Where to see it Found everywhere in the UK. Likes open countryside, from lowland farmland to upland moorland. Often inconspicuous on the ground, it is easy to see when in its distinctive song flight. What does it eat? Seeds and insects What does it sound like? Call a liquid 'chirrup'; continuous warbling song. The Skylarks of SouthendReports of Skylark sightings as submitted to us as from January 2004 are as follows:
Submit all records and sightings of Skylark to us through our Latest Bird Sightings page. Farmers can contact any of the South East Essex RSPB committee (details on our membership page) for an action pack and advice on creating suitable sustainable habitat. Note: Our opening poem was written as a protest against the Victorian custom of trapping Skylarks and caging them for their song. The Skylark was usually blinded in the misplaced hope that they would sing louder and for longer. In reality, a caged bird has never sung as beautifully as a wild bird. |
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