I thought i'd just write a quick profile on 3 key species that can be found on our sites, and why grazing is important for these species.
Dartford Warbler Sylvia Undata
Small warbler with long tail, often cocked. Female browner above and paler pink below than male.
Where to see them: Lowland heathland with gorse and heather.
When to see them: All year round.
What they eat: Insects.
Number in Britain: 1700 pairs.
Length:12 cm
Wingspan:16 cm
Weight:10 g
First Record:1773
Clutch Size:4 eggs
Incubation:12- 14 days
Number of Broods: 2/3
Positive impacts of grazing:
-Long-term grazing will reduce the regeneration of invasive scrub
species, which could dominate the heathland.
-Low dense gorse will result from grazing, particularly with winter
grazing.
species, which could dominate the heathland.
-Low dense gorse will result from grazing, particularly with winter
grazing.
Nocturnal. Wonderful cryptic plumage looking like tree bark, and is difficult to see when roosting during the day.
Where to see them: Lowland heaths, open woodland, commons and young conifer plantations and felled areas of forest.
When to see them: Arrives in the UK between late April to mid-May, they are best looked and listened for at dusk on warm, still, summer evenings. They mainly leave in August and September.
When to see them: Arrives in the UK between late April to mid-May, they are best looked and listened for at dusk on warm, still, summer evenings. They mainly leave in August and September.
What they eat: Insects - moths and beetles.
Number in Britain: 4600 males.
Length:27cm.
Wingspan:60cm.
Weight:83g.
First Record: 10th Century
Clutch Size: 2 eggs.
Incubation:18 days.
Number of Broods: 1-2.
Positive impacts of grazing:
Number in Britain: 4600 males.
Length:27cm.
Wingspan:60cm.
Weight:83g.
First Record: 10th Century
Clutch Size: 2 eggs.
Incubation:18 days.
Number of Broods: 1-2.
Positive impacts of grazing:
-Grazing vital to create bare patches that are not part of pathways or
other areas prone to disturbance for nest sites.
-Dunging increases the levels of invertebrate prey within the heathland,
this is even more necessary if the surrounding land is or is likely to
become unsuitable for feeding nightjars.
-Grazing will create a greater diversity of habitat types and therefore
increases the levels of invertebrate fauna needed.
other areas prone to disturbance for nest sites.
-Dunging increases the levels of invertebrate prey within the heathland,
this is even more necessary if the surrounding land is or is likely to
become unsuitable for feeding nightjars.
-Grazing will create a greater diversity of habitat types and therefore
increases the levels of invertebrate fauna needed.
Woodlark Lullula arborea
It is a streaky brown bird, with a buffy-white eye-stripe which meets across the nape. It has a well developed crest on its crown which is not always conspicuous. In flight the peculiarly short tail and broad, rounded wings are noticeable and the deeply undulating flight with closed wing glides is characteristic.
Where to see them:A summer visitor to the heathlands, requires bare ground and a short sward for feeding. Nests close to paths and firebreaks and among tussocks.
When to see them:All year round.
What they eat:Seeds and insects.
Number in Britain: 1500 pairs.
Length:15 cm.
Wingspan:28 cm.
Weight:30 g.
First Record: 15th Century.
Clutch Size:3 - 5 eggs.
Incubation:14 days.
Number of Broods:2-3.
Positive impacts of grazing:
-Increases the area of short sward and bare ground needed for
foraging.
-Produces a mosaic of short and long swards needed for breeding.
-Dunging increases the levels of invertebrate prey.
foraging.
-Produces a mosaic of short and long swards needed for breeding.
-Dunging increases the levels of invertebrate prey.
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