The status of breeding Woodlarks Lullula arborea in Britain in 1997.

We report on the 1997 national Woodlark survey which was organized by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the British Trust`for Ornithology and English Nature. In 1997, between 1426 and 1552 Woodlark territories were located in Britain. There has been a considerable increase in the population since the only previous national survey, in 1986, when approximately 250 territories were found. The five regions of population that were apparent in 1986 all showed major increases, in particular in Breckland and the Suffolk Sandlings. Over 85% of territories occurred on heathland or within forest plantations. The ratio varied between regions: plantations were more commonly used in the north and east whereas more Woodlarks utilized heathland in the south. Woodlarks in Devon bred almost exclusively on farmland. More than three-quarters of the forest population was `found in young plantations, particularly in stands of two and three year old trees. Most Woodlark territories were located on sandy soils, with nearly 70% specifically on acid sandy soils. Reasons for the observed increase and range expansion are discussed, as are the implications of habitat management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]