HABITAT SELECTION BY CORN BUNTINGS MILIARIA-CALANDRA IN WINTER

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.