Farmers and land managers have until December 31 to establish skylark plots in winter cereals, even if they missed the opportunity while drilling, say Campaign for the Farmed Environment partners.

Plots should be established in emerged winter cereals by spraying out with glyphosate before the end of this month.

RSPB senior agriculture advisor Richard Winspear said skylark plots can be a valuable option in ELS and a simple way to support the campaign.

“Two four-by-four metre plots per hectare, totalling less than a third of one per cent of the field area, is the optimum density. Each plot is worth five points in ELS. This doesn't sound much but when you think that 100 plots in a 50 hectare field pays you £500 per year but only takes up 0.16 hectares, it is a much better payment rate than any other ELS option - or £3125 per hectare,” he added.

After establishment, plots do not require any special treatment and can be managed exactly the same as the remaining field so it can be over-sprayed, fertilised and there's no requirement to keep them weed-free. For those outside of any agri-environment scheme, skylark plots can be established voluntarily under the campaign’s voluntary measure (code C4) and recorded using the online record form at www.cfeonline.org.uk.

Skylarks use the plots for nesting sites as they extend their available breeding season with 50 per cent more chicks produced in winter cereal fields containing skylark plots compared to those without. From mid-May onwards, the sites are used to forage for insects to feed chicks, especially second and third broods. Stem elongation of the cereal crop prevents them from foraging effectively over the rest of the field area so the plots become a safe haven for the declining species. In the absence of skylark plots, birds may use tramlines as foraging sites although these are regularly patrolled by mammalian predators.

Campaign coordinators or Natural England advisors can offer more guidance on the creation and positioning of skylark plots plus utilising other ELS options for maximum effect. Contact the campaign on 02476 858892 or Natural England on 0300 0601695 for more information.