Woodlark national breeding surveys in Britain

The Woodlark <i>Lullula arborea</i> is a rare breeding species and partial migrant in the UK, where it is mainly confined to southern England. It is a species of high to moderate conservation concern subject to a national Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). The dataset contains records from the national surveys of breeding Woodlark in 1986, 1997 and 2006. These were organised and run by the BTO (in 1986 on its own, in 1997 in conjunction with RSPB, JNCC and English Nature (now Natural England) and in 2006 in conjunction with RSPB, Natural England and the Forestry Commission in England). In 1986 it was estimated that there were 250 territories in the UK concentrated in five regions: south-west England, New Forest/Dorset, Hampshire/Surrey border, Breckland and the Suffolk coast. The dataset records the locations of 241 pairs; the remaining 9 pairs are an estimate for those areas not covered well. Habitat occupancy differed between regions. Most birds 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. For more information see Sitters <i>et al</i>. (1996), <i>Bird Study</i> 43: 172-187. In 1997 between 1426 and 1552 woodlark territories were located in Britain -- the dataset includes all 1552 territory locations but it is not certain that more than 1426 became breeding territories. The five regions of population that were apparent in 1986 all showed major increases, in particular in Breckland and the Suffolk Sandlings. Over 85% of territories occurred on heathland or within forest plantations, but the ratio varied between regions: plantations were more commonly used in the north and east, whereas more birds utilised heathland in the south. Woodlarks in Devon bred almost exclusively on farmland. More than three-quarters of the forest population was found in young plantations, particularly in stands of two and three year old trees. Most territories were located on sandy soils, with nearly 70% specifically as on acid sandy soils. For more information see Wotton &amp; Gillings (2000), <i>Bird Study</i> 47: 212-224. The 2006 survey gave a population estimate of 3064 territories (with 95% confidence limits 2472 - 3687), and a range expansion of 46% since 1997. The dataset records the location of the 1757 territories noted by the observers contributing to the survey. This survey demonstrated that the population had increased to meet the BAP targets set in 1996 for population size and range expansions in England, and that it is on schedule to meet targets in Wales. The species has responded to heathland conservation restoration projects and is highly dependent on forest management. For more information, see Conway <i>et al</i>. (2009), <i>Bird Study</i> 56: 310-325.