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Agricultural intensification and the timing of breeding of Corn Buntings Miliaria calandra

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 06:17 authored by N W Brickle, D G C Harper
Aims: To investigate the effect of modern farming practices on the number of Corn Bunting breeding attempts. Methods: We compared the timing of breeding by Corn Buntings on the South Downs, West Sussex, with the habitat composition within 150 m of their nests. Results: Breeding was earlier in areas containing winter-sown wheat and set-aside than in areas containing spring-sown barley. Nests were earlier when cereal crops near the nest were more developed. The presence of unripe grain was a better predictor of the timing of breeding than the height of the crop. Double-brooding was extremely rare and few females re-laid after nest failures. Daily failure probabilities of clutches increased during the season, largely as a result of harvesting operations. Conclusions: Changes in the timing of cereal harvesting and the availability of uncultivated nesting habitat may have reduced the incidence of double-brooding in some intensive arable landscapes. Food availability may also limit the onset of breeding, further reducing the possibility of double-brooding.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Bird Study

ISSN

0006-3657

Issue

3

Volume

49

Page range

219-228

Pages

10.0

Department affiliated with

  • Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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