Managing arable reversion grassland to benefit nationally decreasing Skylark (Alauda arvensis L.) populations.

Abstract

Skylarks are a typical species of grassland and have shown a national decrease in numbers over the last 30 years. This three-year (1994-1997) research project investigated the best ways of managing arable reversion grassland to encourage breeding and over-wintering skylarks in the South Downs (established in 1987) and South Wessex Downs (established in 1993) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs). Under the schemes, arable reversion fields were converted from arable cropping to permanent grassland sown with agricultural seed mixtures (e.g. ryegrass Lolium perenne L.) (PG) or sown with traditional chalk downland seed mixtures such as fescues (Festuca spp) (CD).