Effects of agricultural management on the use of lowland grassland by foraging birds

Abstract

A field-scale correlative study was used to identify which factors had the greatest influence on the usage of agricultural grassland by foraging birds in the English West Midlands. The study extended previous work by directly comparing a more complete range of lowland grassland management practises, bird species and seasons. Sward structure had more influence on bird usage than botanical composition. Bird species fell into two groups based on their sward structure preferences, which closely reflected where they obtained their food. Species that feed on soil-dwelling invertebrates selected short swards, while species that feed on sward-dwelling invertebrates or seeds selected taller swards with greater spatial heterogeneity. Grazing had a greater influence on grassland usage than sward age and other management practices. Birds mainly responded positively to grazing, especially by cattle. Weed control reduced the usage of grass fields by granivorous birds during summer and winter. Intensive grazing systems create and maintain short, uniform swards that favour bird species foraging for soil-dwelling invertebrates, but not those reliant on seeds or sward-dwelling invertebrates. It is proposed that excessive defoliation of agricultural grasslands (associated with intensive grazing and mowing regimes) impacts granivorous birds by reducing prey abundance. Reductions in grazing intensity and the avoidance of weed control should increase food availability for granivorous and insectivorous birds on grass fields.