Abstract from BTO Research Report No 270:

Glue, D. & Carter, N. (May 2002)

Lark Rise Farm, Barton, Cambs (Plot 1571) The Countryside Restoration Trust Report on Breeding Birds 2001
ISBN 1-902576-49-7:

Executive Summary

1. INTRODUCTION

Year 2001 saw a third, excellent census of Lark Rise Farm, Barton, Cambridgeshire completed. The survey uses the BTO’s Common Birds Census (CBC) mapping method of assessing bird populations by delimiting clusters of territorial activity. This modest sized (53.2 ha), primarily arable farm, acquired by the Countryside Restoration Trust (CRT) in 1998, was managed in the current year chiefly for winter wheat and undersown spring barley. Other fields were planted with spring beans and grass cut for hay. Set-aside covered just 5.5 ha, one-half that of the previous year (Appendix I, Habitat Sheet). Winter 2000/2001 saw further habitat enhancement for wildlife on the farm, with the planting of a small Millennium Wood (1 ha), composed mostly of ash, oak and shrub species, in the north-east corner. This complements previous sympathetic management (Carter and Glue 2000, Carter and Glue 2001).

2. METHODS

A full census was carried out following the guideline procedure established for the BTO’s CBC method (see Marchant et. al. 1990). Twelve complete visits were made from early April through to the end of June, including a useful evening visit to detect potential crepuscular species (Visit I). The field effort expended spanned over 28 hours and was broadly comparable with the previous two years (9, 11 visits covering some 19, 27 hours in 1999 and 2000 respectively). The data are considered valid in assessing population sizes, densities, and changes between seasons, and with UK bird populations at large. To ensure ongoing continuity, the fieldworkers should continue to complete 10-12 visits (including two in the evening separated by 10 or more days), from early April through to early July – ideally in fair weather.

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