Suitability of patches and in‐field strips for Sky Larks<i>Alauda arvensis</i>in a small‐parcelled mixed farming area

Abstract

Capsule Sky Larks make use of agri‐environment measures in winter wheat for nesting and foraging during nestling provision. Aims To determine the suitability of in‐field measures (patches and strips) for breeding Sky Larks in small‐parcelled Swiss lowland farmland. Methods Focal territories established over winter wheat fields with in‐field measures (four patches or one strip per hectare sown with arable weed mix) and over conventionally managed wheat, were surveyed during one breeding season. Territories were digitized in a geographical information system based on the mapping of singing males. Breeding pairs were observed to determine the position of nest‐sites and foraging spots during nestling provisioning. Breeding success and chick body condition were also determined. Results Winter wheat fields containing in‐field measures were more likely to be part of a Sky Lark territory from June onwards than conventional winter wheat fields. Conventional winter wheat fields were used significantly less in July than in May and June. When a nest was built in winter wheat it was significantly more often in or near an in‐field measure than expected. During the nestling period, the in‐field measures were the preferred locations for foraging followed by field borders and spring sown crops. Conclusion The tested in‐field measures help to prolong the use of winter wheat for Sky Larks during the breeding season. In a mixed and small‐parcelled farming system, their application is not as urgent as in larger‐scale monocultures. Nevertheless, Sky Larks (as well as other wildlife species) use them actively. IP‐SUISSE (the initiative to encourage integrated farming in Switzerland) encourages farmers to implement patches and in‐field strips on a voluntary basis.