Woodlark at Dersingham by Les Mundy 1/8
Woodlark at Kelling Heath by John Miller 2/8
Woodlark by Paul Taylor 3/8
Woodlark by Helen Scarsbrook 4/8
Woodlark by Paul Taylor 5/8
Woodlark by Helen Scarsbrook 6/8
Woodlark by Lawrie Webb 7/8
Woodlark by Paul Waterhouse 8/8

Woodlark Lullula arborea

The woodlark is well known for its striking melodious song, which it delivers on the wing. Similar to its skylark cousin, the woodlark however differs in its song, the bold eyebrow, and the short tail with the white tips.

Conservation status

Woodlarks are protected under schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) which means it is an offence to take, injure or kill a woodlark or to destroy or take a nest or its contents. The species is also listed in the Norfolk Biodiversity Action Plan.

Due to the woodlark's specialist habitat requirements, it can only thrive where the land is actively managed. Grasslands grazed by rabbits are a good habitat but in forestry areas active management is needed to ensure healthy population levels. Here it is necessary to ensure there are managed areas of clear fell providing suitable short grass for feeding and breeding.

Woodlark surveys carried out by the British Trust for Ornithology show that breeding pairs have been increasing thanks to better habitat management.
 

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Details

Did you know?

A survey carried out by the BTO in 1997 showed Breckland had the largest regional population of breeding woodlarks.

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