CCB Biodiversity Action Plan – Skylark Issue 1
SKYLARK ALAUDA ARVENSIS SPECIES ACTION PLAN
1.
INTRODUCTION
The skylark is afforded priority status in the UKBAP and a UK SAP has been written39 . It is
therefore of importance in Caerphilly county borough.
Relevant Legislation/Species Status
priority species (P) or
species of conservation
concern (S)
P
EC Birds Directive 1979
Annex II/2
Berne Convention 1982
Bonn Convention 1979
-
CITES 1975
WCA 1981
Birds of Conservation
Concern List30
2.
Part I Section 1
Red
CURRENT STATUS
 CCBC 2002
2.1
UK and Wales
The skylark is one of the most widespread bird species in the UK with over 2 million resident
breeding pairs being joined by probably a further 25 million winter visitors from the mainland of
Europe. However over the last 25 years the UK population has crashed by over 50%. A pattern
mirrored on the continent. Historically the species stronghold was lowland farmland. The
implementation of changes in farming methods is generally quoted as the cause of this crash,
especially the planting of autumn-sown rather than spring-sown cereals making the nesting
habitat unsuitable. Similarly, fertilised grass may be too tall and dense for the species.
2.2
Caerphilly County Borough
Within Caerphilly county borough, as with Wales as a whole, the skylark is generally a species of
the unimproved upland grasslands. As such the population declines are far less obvious, although
there is some anecdotal evidence of decreasing population densities. This relative abundance
makes our skylark population of great importance. Map 2.12 shows how this bird is distributed
within the county borough.
2.3
Links with Habitats
•
•
•
•
3.
Species-rich Grasslands (lowland neutral grassland and rhos pasture, often part of the
upland common land)
Coedcae/ffridd (grasslands within the habitat mosaics that border the commons)
Common Land
Post-Industrial Land (re-seeded colliery spoil and naturally revegetated colliery spoil)
CURRENT FACTORS AFFECTING THE SPECIES
•
Intensive management of arable land leading to a reduction of insects and weed seeds.
•
Intensive management of both lowland and upland grasslands.
•
High stocking rates particularly of sheep.
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CCB Biodiversity Action Plan – Skylark Issue 1
•
Reduction in winter stubble fields due to autumn sown crops.
•
Early silage cutting instead of traditional hay making destroys nests during the breeding
season.
•
Drainage and ‘improvement’ of wet grasslands.
•
Increased disturbance of nesting sites on commons by the general public particularly when
‘off-roading’ on scramblers or in cars.
•
Afforestation of the uplands.
4.
CURRENT ACTION
4.1
Continued survey work by the BTO. The BTO Breeding Bird Survey contributes to the
annual monitoring and recording of skylark populations6 . Some survey work has already
been undertaken by CCBC in Caerphilly county borough.
4.2
The Gwent Ornithological Society and Glamorgan Bird Club gather information from
members on the distribution of skylarks and both publish annual bird reports17, 18, 19.
4.2
RSPB/Tesco partnership in funding and preparing the UK SAP.
4.3
Ecological studies of the species by the RSPB.
4.4
The Tir Gofal agri-environment scheme may be beneficial to the species, especially in
less intensively grazed areas.
5.
OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS
5.1
UK Objectives and Targets
5.1.1
Maintain present breeding numbers, wintering numbers and distribution throughout the
UK.
5.1.2
Reverse the population decline on lowland farmland and other habitats throughout the
UK, where found to be declining.
5.1.3
Protect the skylark's habitat, especially in the breeding season.
5.2
Caerphilly County Borough
5.2.1
Maintain the breeding population in the remaining strongholds of the county borough
(Target: ongoing).
5.2.2
Reverse the population decline in the county borough and investigate the possible decline
in upland grasslands (Target: 2010).
5.2.3
Protect habitats which are important to the species (Target: ongoing).
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CCB Biodiversity Action Plan – Skylark Issue 1
6.
ACTION AND KEY PARTNERS
Action
6.1 Policy and Legislation
6.1.1 Promote farming practices that will
benefit the species, for example through
the Tir Gofal Scheme.
6.2 Site Safeguard and Management
6.2.1 Adopt sympathetic management of all
CCBC land with breeding skylark.
6.3 Species Management and Protection
6.3.1 Continue to implement wildlife
legislation.
6.4 Advisory
6.4.1 Educate and inform the local
population as to the relative importance of
our skylark population.
6.5 Future Research and Monitoring
6.5.1
Survey
and
monitor
skylark
populations within the county borough.
6.6 Communications and Publicity
6.6.1 Produce a leaflet regarding the
importance of the skylark for biodiversity,
to be available at Countryside Parks and
other CCBC properties.
Ë
Key Partners
Lead
Partners
Year to be complete or in place by:
2003
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
CCW
NAWAD
NFU FUW
RSPB
ü
ü
ü
CCBC
-
ü
ü
ü
Gwent
Police
-
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
CBP
RSPB Schools
Youth Forum
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
GBC
GOS
BTO CCW
Ë
CBP
-
ü
Survey year to be determined.
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Volume 2 - Birds
CCB Biodiversity Action Plan – Skylark Issue 1
MA P 2.12 - SKYLARK
14
Vi ce C o u n ty B o u n d a ry
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Co n f ir m e d B re e d in g
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R ep ro d uce d fro m th e Ord na n ce S u rv ey m app in g w ith t he p erm issio n of t he C on tro lle r o f He r M aje sty's S ta tion e ry Of fice C row n c opy rig h t.
U n au th o rise d re pro d uct ion in fring es C row n co py righ t a nd m a y lea d to p ro se cu tion or civil p roce ed ing s.
C a erph illy C o unt y B oro u gh C ou n cil, LA 0 90 0 4L, 20 0 1.
At gyn hyrch w yd o f ap iad y r Aro lw g O rd n an s gy da ch a niat a d rhe o lw r Llyf rf a ei M a w rh yd i h aw lf rain t y G oro n .
M ae a tg yn hyrch u h e b aw du rdo d yn to rri h a wlf raint y Go ro n . G all h yn arw ain at e rlynia d n e u a ch o s sif il.
Cy ngo r B wr de ist ref Siro l C a erf fili, LA 0 90 0 4L, 2 0 01.
Map data sources: GOS 1998-2000 and 20
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