Woodlark (RBBP)

 

A national Woodlark survey in 2003 produced a total of 81 males and 47 confirmed pairs in seven broad areas of Lincolnshire; of this total, 60 males and 37 pairs were on the north-west coversands. In Laughton Forest–Scotton Common, the former main area of the county for this highly localised species, the peak numbers actually occurred earlier in 2000 when 34 territories were occupied.  A later survey in 2006 estimated that there were 79 occupied territories in the county (confidence interval 62-104), indicating very little change (Conway et al 2009). 

Woodlarks occupy two distinctly different habitats in the county, natural short-grazed heathland and managed forestry sites where they rely upon clear felling to produce suitable breeding habitat. As the area of clear felling was reduced in Laughton Forest, numbers fell to a peak of 17 territories in 2012. Since then, changes in forest management have removed clear felling as an option, and also replanting of fast-growing species like Cupressocyparis leylandii mean that open areas are only suitable for Woodlarks for one or two years. This has led to a massive decline in the Laughton–Scotton area where recently there have been no more than four pairs and six territorial males. The natural heathland sites in the northwest appear to have stable populations but numbers have declined in the Market Rasen forests and on the Kirkby on Bain area heathlands of late. The total breeding population of the county is considered to only be 25–30 pairs. Breeding sites are occupied from early February through to August or September. Small parties have occasionally wintered around the periphery of Laughton Forest but it is presumed that most birds winter further south. Coastal passage migrants occur from February through to May and less regularly in October and November.