Scottish corn bunting news

This video says about itself:

A portrait of a Corn Bunting family (Miliaria calandra)

Canon XL2 and Sigma 50-500 mm lens. Filmed in Falkenberg, Sweden, July 2010. Foto Karl-David Arvidsson.

From Wildlife Extra:

Corn buntings saved by Scottish farmers

February 2014: Numbers of Corn buntings could increase if there is a change in farming methods in line with a trial that has been running north of the border, say RSPB Scotland. Corn buntings used to be widespread throughout Europe, but are now one of the fastest declining farmland birds with just 800 singing males left in Scotland.

Most commonly associated with cereal cultivation, corn buntings would once have bred in hay meadows too, however intensification of farming, particularly a move to earlier mowing, has made this impossible across large parts of northwest Europe.

In northeast Scotland, silage and hay cuts remain late enough for birds to make nests in these fields. In fact, over the five year study, more than half of the nests started in May and June were in hay meadows. Sadly, more than two-thirds of these were then lost during June and July mowing.

Therefore RSPB organised a trial where 19 farms across Aberdeenshire and Inverness-shire delayed their mowing until August 1. This delay made huge changes, as less than five per cent of nests in meadows were lost, and overall breeding success increased by 20 per cent.

David Taylor, of Cauldwells farm in Aberdeenshire, who took part in the trial said: “I have been managing parts of my farm to benefit wildlife since 2002. Corn buntings certainly like the late cut grass and their jangling songs can be heard most summer mornings. I have had to make a compromise in grass quality, but this is just about compensated by the payment rate. Along with the other options, this wildlife friendly farming seems to be making a difference and long may it continue.”

Allan Perkins, RSPB Conservation Scientist, said: “This project was a great partnership between the RSPB and local farmers to develop an agri-environment option that delivers real benefits for birds and also works for farmers. By selecting this management option in future schemes, I’m sure that farmers in northeast Scotland will help to halt the decline of this fabulous farmland bird.”

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