The Woodlark Lullula arborea in Britain: population trends, distribution and habitat occupancy

This paper reports on the 1986 Woodlark survey – the only national survey of the species conducted to date – and reviews subsequent changes in British Woodlark populations. In 1986, the British population was approximately 250 pairs concentrated in 5 regions: south%west England, New Forest/Dorset, Hampshire/Surrey border, Breckland and the Suffolk coast. Habitat occupancy in 1986 differed between regions. Most Woodlarks were found in young conifer plantations and heathland, but neither of these habitats was important in the south%west where birds used a variety of habitats including marginal farmland. A higher proportion of birds used conifer plantations in East Anglia than in New Forest/Dorset and on the Hampshire/Surrey border (this difference probably reflects availability of suitable habitat). The ground vegetation of Woodlark territories differed between regions, but territories typically contained bare soil or short grass and generally < 20% shrub cover. Since 1986, there has been a marked increase ...