Summer and winter bird communities in recently established farm woodlands in lowland England

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of woodland management and structure on the presence, abundance and species richness of birds in 65 farm woodlands created under agri-environment schemes in southern and central England. It also compares the avifauna of the woodlands with that of other farmland habitats for a subset of 11 farms. Over 50 different bird species were recorded in the woodlands in winter and breeding seasons. The geographical location, area, age and conifer content of the woodland, nature of the surrounding farmland and adjoining field boundaries, and the use of herbicides affected the occurrence of individual species at the sites. Species richness was positively associated with woodland area and sites connected to hedgerows with trees had more species than sites connected to treeless hedgerows. Smaller woodlands tended to support a greater overall abundance of birds than larger woodlands. Overall bird abundance and species richness was higher along field boundaries such as hedgerows and walls or ditches with scattered trees than in the farm woodlands. The latter, however, supported a greater overall abundance and number of species of birds than surrounding cropland. It is suggested that the creation of small farm woodlands provides habitat for several bird species that are currently declining and is a valuable tool for promoting bird diversity in Britain. To maximise bird diversity, the planting of small woodlands should coincide with the preservation of existing woodlands, trees, and hedgerows.