Surfbirds News

As conservationists now contemplate the loss of set-aside within British farmland, BTO scientists provide evidence of the benefits of set-aside to a wide range of farmland species – but Skylarks in particular. Set-aside delivers three big benefits for Skylarks - winter food in stubbles, nest sites in summer fallows and food for chicks.

Skylark © Adrian Webb

Winter food: Research by the BTO has shown that Skylark populations can only be maintained through the winter if 20% of agricultural land is available as food-rich stubble, much of which has been provided through the existence of rotational set-aside.

Nesting opportunities: For ground-nesting Skylarks, set-aside fields provide great cover in which to hide nests. Nesting densities are up to five times higher in set-aside than they are in winter wheat.

Food for chicks: Rotational set-aside is a good feeding habitat, with plenty of accessible insects to feed to chicks and a rich crop of seeds for newly-fledged youngsters. Set-aside supported four to five times as many Skylarks as winter wheat, with similar foraging advantages for other species.

Juliet Vickery (Head of Terrestrial Ecology Unit of the BTO) said “Set-aside might not have been designed as a conservation measure for farmland birds but our research has shown that it has provided a real lifeline for birds such as Skylarks, Yellowhammers and Lapwings. We can only ensure that there is continued space for these birds in modern agricultural businesses if scientists and policy makers work together to modify agri-environment schemes in ways that can deliver similar benefits.”