The status of breeding Woodlarks Lullula arborea in Britain in 1997

We report on the 1997 national Woodlark survey which was organized by the R oyal Society for the Protection of Birds, the British Trust for Ornithology and English Nature. In 1997, between 1426 and 1552 Woodlark territories we re located in Britain. There has bear a considerable increase in the popula tion since the only previous national survey, in 1986, when approximately 2 50 territories were found. The five regions of population that were apparen t in 1986 all showed major increases, in particular in Breckland and the Su ffolk Sandlings. Over 85% of territories occurred on heathland or within fo rest plantations. The ratio varied between regions: plantations were more c ommonly used ill the north and east whereas more Woodlarks utilized heathla nd in the south. Woodlarks in Devon bred almost exclusively on farmland. Mo re thats three-quarters of the forest population was found in young plantat ions, particularly in stands of two and three year old trees. Most Woodlark territories were located oil sandy soils, with nearly 70% specifically on acid sandy soils. Reasons for the observed increase and range expansion ave discussed, as are the implications of habitat management practices.