Local Biodiversity Action Plan Species
From Wild Warwickshire
These species accounts were written as part of a document produced to support the Local Biodiversity Action Plans laid out by Warwickshire County Council.
Contents |
Summary
Warwickshire has a diversity of landscapes that supports a rich flora and fauna. Many of these species have declined in the past 50 years. The county has highlighted 9 bird species to be covered by LBAP’s (Barn Owl, Corn Bunting, Eurasian Bittern, Grey Partridge, Song Thrush, Common Snipe, Eurasian Lapwing, Tree Sparrow and Skylark) to counter these changes. Several of these species are also covered in neighbouring counties creating a wider network of conservation efforts.
There is currently too little coverage by the BTO’s Breeding Bird Survey on which to assess bird numbers and changes in the county however upcoming projects may solve this. The Tetrad Atlas and the BTO Atlas work beginning in 2007 should help plug the information gap and yield excellent data on species distribution in the county.
For almost all the species there exist two strongholds in the county. The very northern tip and the southeastern border of Warwickshire seem to have the greatest concentrations of breeding pairs of all the species in question. The north and its network of lakes and rivers is particularly important for Snipe and Lapwing whilst the farmland on the Warwickshire/Oxfordshire border is a stronghold for Corn Bunting and Tree Sparrows.
Warwickshire benefits from having an important site for wintering Bittern. Both Ladywalk and Brandon Marsh regularly have individuals spending the winter. It is hoped that with the correct management these individuals could be persuade to stay and breed, at least at Ladywalk where numbers are higher.
The Song Thrush whilst increasing in numbers is highly under represented in the literature and survey work. It is likely that a specific targeted survey will be required to fully assess the distribution and population of this species. It is suggested that a series of staggered surveys be made to reinforce our understanding of the avian ecology of the county. Specifically, a Farmland Bird survey would help fill the current information gap.
Individual Species Accounts
- Explanatory notes on species accounts
- Barn Owl
- Eurasian Bittern
- Corn Bunting
- Grey Partridge
- Eurasian Lapwing
- Skylark
- Common Snipe
- Song Thrush
- Tree Sparrow
References
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