This paper presents the results of a survey of wintering Corn Buntings
in Britain organized by the British Trust for Ornithology during wint
er 1992/93. The survey collected information on the distribution, numb
ers and habitat selection of Corn Buntings throughout their known rang
e in Britain in order to assess winter habitat requirements. Volunteer
s surveyed a total of 1313 tetrads which between them held nearly 3000
birds in 222 flocks. Sixty-four per cent of flocks held fewer than 10
birds. Fifty per cent of flocks and 60% of birds were recorded on stu
bble. Weed-rich stubble held approximately twice the numbers of flocks
and birds as clean stubble. Corn Buntings showed a stronger preferenc
e for stubbles than for any other field type. Winter cereals and impro
ved grassland were generally avoided whilst bare till and unimproved (
or semi-improved) grassland were used in proportion to their availabil
ity. Areas which lost breeding birds between the 2 Breeding Atlas peri
ods contained less weedrich stubble and less arable land generally tha
n areas which retained breeding birds. However, there were no signific
ant differences in the availability of stubble between tetrads in whic
h birds were recorded on stubbles and those in which they were recorde
d on other field types. Flocks recorded on stubble were not significan
tly larger than those recorded on other field types and did not differ
in size between different regions of Britain. The results of the surv
ey suggest that recent changes in agricultural policy, if implemented
sympathetically, are likely to benefit this species in winter.