COUNTDOWN 2002 - Cheshire region Biodiversity Programme

Corn Bunting (Milaria calandra)

Date compiled - 2001
Date reviewed - 2002

Objective

Halt and reverse the current decline in breeding pairs.

Current Status

The corn bunting is a rapidly declining lowland arable farmland species that is largely dependant on cropped land.

The corn bunting is a Red List species on the list of Birds of Conservation Concern (RSPB, 1996), its numbers having declined in the UK by >50% over the last 25 years, it has also suffered a historical population decline in the UK between 1800-1995. It is protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and EC Birds Directive, and is a Biodiversity Steering Group Priority Species.

The BTO Common Bird Census indicated a 76% decline in breeding population between 1968-1991. The Farmland Bird Survey (BTO, 1993) recorded only 20,000 territories remaining in Britain.

The Cheshire population has been estimated at less than 450 pairs (Guest et al, 1992), and the species is considered an uncommon and thinly distributed resident.

Threats

• The continued loss of extensive mixed farming
• Loss of abundant food sources due to:
  - switch form spring-sown to autumn-sown cereals resulting in the loss of winter stubble
  - increased use of herbicide and fertiliser reducing the amount of wildflower seeds available
• Reduced breeding productivity due to:
  - the increased use of pesticides and fertilisers which reduce the availability of insect food for chicks
  - intensified grazing and mowing regimes which are reducing ground nesting opportunities
  

Current Action

• A current RSPB research project is investigating the causes of the corn bunting population decline.
• BTO surveys and research including the Breeding Bird Survey, Common Bird Census, Lowland Grassland Survey, Wintering Farmland Bird Survey, and Crops for Wintering Birds Survey, are all aiming to highlight and understand the species decline, especially with respect to agricultural intensification.
• The Countryside Stewardship Scheme and the pilot Arable Stewardship Scheme will benefit the species through initiatives such as rotational set-aside and cereal field margins.
• The RSPB has worked closely with CAWOS and DEFRA to help identify key farmland bird areas in Cheshire, to help with targeting of the new arable options next year, and to help with delivery of the current CSS objective for tree sparrow and corn bunting in the county.
  

Action Required

• Encourage the retention of winter stubble, and fields undersown with grass, clover and turnips, for corn bunting feeding requirements.
• Encourage alternatives to pesticides, insecticides and herbicides, as the use of these is dramatically reducing the availability of insects and seeds.
• Flower-rich margins, and cereal margins provide nesting and feeding habitat, landowners and managers should be encouraged to maintain these appropriately.
• Promote effective management of set-aside for breeding and wintering farmland bird species.
• Undertake research into the ecology and habitat of the corn bunting in the Cheshire region, and establish distribution and a baseline population estimate.
  

Action Completed

• LBAP Action Group has been formed.
• Links to other farmland Bird BAPs through the generic farmland bird BAP
• Targeting agri - environment schemes at farmland bird hotspots in the region.
  

Actual LBAP Implementers

RSPB; BTO; CAWOS; CWT; FWAG; Cheshire County Council; PMH Natural History Services.

Other potential implementers

BASC; CLA; SECOS.

Contact

Roy Leigh
Phone: 01606 333296

References

HMSO (1995) : Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2: Action Plans, London.

Back to Top