Effect of plot type, age and date on seed depletion and bird use of Wild Bird Seed Mixtures in England

Capsule Bird and seed abundances decreased in both standard and enhanced Agri-Environment Scheme seed mixtures (plots of seed-bearing crops) between November and February.Aims We analysed effects of Agri-Environment seed mixture type (‘standard’ or ‘enhanced’), plot age and non-target species on seed and bird abundance.Methods Surveys were conducted in November/December and January/February on 36 standard and 19 enhanced seed mixtures to test effect of plot type and age on abundance of buntings, finches and seeds.Results Bunting and finch densities decreased between January/February and November/December. Seed decreased by approximately 70% between surveys, plot type did not affect depletion. Second-year plots contained nearly 90% less seed, and non-significantly lower bunting and finch densities. Bunting densities were positively related to cereal seed abundance, and finch densities to non-cereal seed; these relationships did not differ between plot types. There was no evidence that non-target species af...