Index:
History
What do Skylarks Need
The Government Biodiversity Action Plan
The Southend Biodiversity Action Plan
Current Status in Essex
Current Status in Southend on Sea
Current Factors Affecting the Species
How to Help Skylarks
Skylark Facts
How you Can Help
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| But where is now the song I heard? for all my cunning art, I who would house a singing bird Have caged a broken heart (Wilfred Gibson (1878 - 1962) |
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.
 Two Tree Island Skylark. Photograph by Steve Arlow, Southend Ornithological Group |
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.
- Mid-field areas in which to nest and feed
- Provision of suitable nesting habitat using set-aside, spring cereals or hay. Skylarks occupy the open fields to avoid predators. They cannot be conserved by measures taken within 10 metres of the field boundary.
- Seeds and weeds throughout the year. Adults feed on leaves and seeds of crops and weeds. Their association with weedy stubbles in winter shows they prefer seeds and weed leaves.
- Nesting habitat to produce up to three broods every year. Skylarks nest on the ground, in vegetation that is 2050 centimetres high. This vegetation must be open enough to give the birds easy access to the ground. They need to make two or three nesting attempts between April and August to sustain the population. Crops such as winter wheat generally grow too tall and thick to enable more than a single brood. Silage fields attract Skylarks, but are generally cut too frequently to allow successful breeding.
- Insects and spiders in the spring and summer. Skylark chicks are fed exclusively on insects and spiders for the first week of life. These are also an important part of the diet of adults from April until August. Insects are collected from crops, set-aside and pasture.
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:
- Maintain the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) population index for Skylarks at or above the 1995 level.
- Maintain the number of wintering Skylarks at or above 1997/98 level as determined by the JNCC/BTO survey.
- Maintain the range of Skylarks as measured by the frequency of occupation in BBS squares at or above the 1995 level.
- Reverse the population decline on lowland farmland and other habitats, where found to be declining, as measured by BBS indices.
- Although Skylark is the commonest and most widespread member of the lark family, it has declined in the UK by 54% over the last 25 years. In order to halt this decline it is becoming increasingly important that current farming practices are modified to create a more conservation friendly environment.
The Southend Biodiversity Action Plan local objectives regarding the Skylark reads as follows:
- Protect and maintain the current population of this species.
- Protect where appropriate and practicable, the important breeding sites of this species in Southend on Sea.
- Ensure all relevant land owners are aware of the presence of this species.
- Ensure all relevant planning authorities are aware of the presence of this species.
- Consider, where appropriate and practicable, altering the contract specification of areas to encourage successful breeding of this species on existing sites and on new areas that could provide suitable breeding sites in the future.
- Prepare management advice for land owners who have this species present.
- Identification and monitoring of important breeding sites in Southend on Sea.
- Encourage local individuals and groups to monitor populations of this species.
- Consider setting up a 'skylark group' in order to monitor the status of this species in Southend on Sea and to encourage a greater awareness of the skylark.
- Ensure any site specific management plans integrate the conservation of this species within the site.
- Encourage the recording of this species in the Southend area, passing all data to the Local Biological Records Centre and any national database that may be established.
- Increase the numbers of this species within Southend on Sea.
- Encourage the inclusion of suitable habitat for skylarks into any future landscape or development plans and proposals.
- Prepare detailed management advice to developers and land owners on how to encourage this species.
- Raise awareness.
- Publicise the aims of this Action Plan.
- Publicise the progress made in delivering this Action Plan in an annual Local Biodiversity Action Plan Report.
- Seek and work with local and regional partners in order to help to deliver the targets of this Action Plan.
- Consider working with partners in order to offer guided walks that could raise the profile of bird species generally and skylarks in particular.
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
- Habitat degradation or destruction.
- Agricultural intensification together with increased use of pesticides and insecticides has reduced ephemeral (short-lived) weed species and insects both potential food sources.
- An increased trend to autumn-sown cereals has reduced the number of winter stubble fields and may provide unsuitable habitat in comparison with spring-sown varieties.
- Conversion of lowland grassland to arable cultivation.
- Intensive management of grassland.
- Move from late hay cutting to early silage cutting, which destroys nests and exposes skylarks to predators.
- Loss of suitable habitat through the development of housing and industry.
- Overgrazing by horses.
- Saltmarsh may be inundated by high spring tides particularly with sea level rise, during the breeding season, which may lead to nesting failure on some sites.
- Inappropriate cutting management of some suitable areas of grassland in open spaces and parkland.
- Disturbance to breeding pairs by dog walkers.
- Recreational activities may lead to damage to nests and exposure of skylarks to predators.
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 arable land: Include spring cereals or a spring break crop (other than oilseed rape, which grows too quickly) in the rotation, where viable. This will provide ideal nesting habitat. Weedy stubbles are the most beneficial winter feeding habitat for Skylarks on the arable farm. Even sprayed stubbles generally provide more food than cultivated ground or autumn-sown crops. Can you delay cultivation of stubbles going into a spring crop until February or March? Natural regeneration on rotational set-aside is very important on farms where overwinter stubbles are not a viable option. Use beetle banks in fields greater than 20 hectares to provide nesting cover and overwintering habitat for beneficial insects. Beetle banks are two-metre grass strips through the middle of arable fields. Such fields can be managed as one unit, as the headland is still cropped.
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.
 Two Tree Island Skylark. Photograph by Steve Arlow, Southend Ornithological Group |
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 Southend
Reports of Skylark sightings as submitted to us as from January 2004 are as follows:
- Potton Creek
- South Fambridge / Brandy Hole
- Eastwood, Eastwoodbury Lane/junction Comet Way
- Cherry Orchard Way
- North Fambridge
- Two Tree Island (20+ reported on 17/03/04)
- Wakering Stairs, Haven Point
- Canvey Heights Country Park
- Canvey Heights Country Park / Smallgains Park
- Westcliff Rugby Club
- Garons Sports Centre, Eastern Avenue
- Barton Hall Farm
- Barrow Hall Road, Wakering (east of tip)
- Between North Crescent and Eastwoodbury lane.
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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