Habitat selection of Cirl Buntings<i>Emberiza cirlus</i>wintering in Britain

Abstract

The habitat selected by foraging Cirl Buntings was investigated at 2 sites in South Devon, England in each of 3 winters. Cirl Buntings showed a marked preference for foraging on stubble or fallow fields at both sites in all 3 winters of the study. A reduction in the area of stubble fields left over winter may have contributed to the decline of the British Cirl Bunting population.