Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra populations, landscape and land-use in an arable district of eastern England

Abstract

A study of Corn Buntings Miliaria calandra, a rapidly declining red-listed species in the United Kingdom, was conducted over five years in the intensively cultivated, arable landscape of north-east Essex, eastern England. Mean densities in study plots ranged from 8 to 15 territories per km², with evidence of a decline over the five years. A total of 278 singing males was located in 247 km² of farmland, some 2–3% of the U.K. population and therefore of national significance. The distribution of territories was highly clumped and there was marked territory fidelity between years. There was a strong preference for territories encompassing field boundaries without hedges and a general avoidance of hedges. Territories occupied in four or five years were more likely to contain water-filled ditches and/or weedy farm tracks than territories occupied in a single year. Song posts may be important resources. There was little preference shown for particular crops or other land-uses during the breeding season. During the winter period there was a strong selection for feeding on the small amount of grass, and in the late winter period, on stubbles. Lack of feeding opportunities in winter would appear to be critical to Corn Buntings. It is suggested that a retention of stubbles over winter on the 26% of farmland destined for spring sowing could be highly beneficial to Corn Bunting populations and that this could be initially targeted at those areas currently holding dense breeding populations.