Measures taken by Warwick District Council to provide a site for endangered grass nesting birds to breed on St Mary’s Lands in Warwick seem to have had a beneficial impact.
From late February to early September the Council installed temporary fencing around an area known as the Lammas Field where Skylarks and Meadow Pipits have historically laid their eggs in the long grass, a move which was strongly supported by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.
An evaluation of the six month trial has shown that for the first time in many years, the number of nesting Skylarks on St Mary’s Lands has increased with 11 nesting sites being recorded, compared to eight previously, with over half of the nests located in the new protected area. While Skylark numbers have increased, the number of breeding pairs of Meadow Pipits remains unchanged at 2-3 pairs.
