Abstract from BTO Research Report No 386:

Glue, D. & Carter, N. (Jan 05)

Lark Rise Farm, Barton, Cambs (Plot 1571)
The Countryside Restoration Trust Report on Breeding Birds 2003.
ISBN 1-904870-16-3

Executive summary

1. INTRODUCTION

In Year 2003 a very fine annual census of the breeding bird community supported by Lark Rise Farm was completed for a fifth successive season. As in previous years, an ongoing crop rotation programme was maintained, with cereals as the dominant crop type with winter wheat and spring barley covering more than half the total area. There were also spring- and autumn-sown oilseed rape and grass cut for hay, as well as 5% natural regeneration, rotational set-aside and some woodland planting (see Appendix II, Habitat Summary Form). New hedge planting along the northern half of the eastern boundary, undertaken in autumn 2002, maintained an ongoing aim to improve cover for wildlife. An updated, colour Habitat Map, greatly enhanced the interpretative potential of the study.

2. METHODS

A full mapping census was completed using the Common Birds Census (CBC) methodology laid down by the BTO guidelines (Marchant et al. 1990). Coverage was excellent with eleven complete visits to map bird activity from mid-March through to late June. Field effort expended (26.15 h) and number of visits saw a welcome return to that in previous years, following a slight reduction in 2002 (Glue and Carter 2003). Particularly useful were two evening visits, in mid-April and early May, to sample for crepuscular species (visits C and F). The findings are considered to be broadly comparable with previous years.

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