Boom in woodlark numbers prompts return to farmland

News from the RSPB site

Woodlarks are returning to breed on England's farmland in greater numbers than at any time in the last 40 years.

A new national survey has found woodlark numbers in the UK have risen by 89 per cent in the last 10 years. The rise has been driven by work to provide suitable habitat – improvements to the size and condition of lowland heaths and good management of forestry plantations.

Increasing numbers of the birds now appear to be moving on to farms to breed, with many nesting on set-aside land. There are fears, however, that the imminent loss of set-aside - because of changes in the way Europe pays its farmers - could limit the woodlark's spread unless suitable alternatives are provided.

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Thanks for that Robert :)