Introduction

Farmland birds have been declining nationally since the early 60's and this has been associated mainly with the rapid intensification of agricultural over this period, and the consequent loss of nesting habitat and food for birds and other animals.

Farmland birds have seen average population declines of 40% since 1970. The government has set a target to halt and then reverse the decline by 2020.

Brown hare is a UK BAP species, which has been in long term decline.

Local status

Skylark An abundant resident and passage migrant in Durham , showing some local declines in recent years. Numbers are down by about 38% since 1994, in the region as a whole.

Corn bunting have decreased by at least 95% in the North East region since the 1970's. In Durham the population has become more coastal and is much reduced and fragmented. Uncommon, very local, and declining, but with a stronghold in Bishop Middleham.

Tree sparrow have decreased by at least 50% in the North East region since the 1970's. Locally common but sparsely distributed in Durham . The provision of nest boxes has seen local increases in recent years. The vast majority of records are in the eastern lowland half of the County.

Linnet A very common and well distributed resident and passage migrant.

Reed bunting declined nationally by over 60% since the 1970s but remains widespread in lowland areas, breeding in low densities across most suitable habitat. Typically found near water be it rivers, ponds or ditches, it can also be found in drier localities, but always requires rank, tussocky vegetation.

The breeding population in the County is estimated at between 500 and 800 pairs. Birds gather in winter and concentrations of up to 50 birds (though 15-25 more typically) can be found at key winter feeding localities such as Bournmoor, Rainton Meadows and Chourdon Point.

Yellow wagtail A common summer visitor and passage migrant, but showing signs of decline. Breeding centred around mid-Durham and the Saltholme Pools area of the Tees Marshes.

Redshank A very common passage, winter visitor and breeder. The coastal stretch between Sunderland and South Shields is particularly important, but some inland wetlands also attract good numbers.

Snipe A common passage and winter visitor, and locally common breeding species. Concentrations in the south of the County, with large numbers not so widespread in the north.

Curlew A very common passage, winter visitor and breeder, but numbers have declined by about 16% in the North East since 1994. The Greatham Creek and Saltholme Pools area remains the best gathering point in the County, with widespread breeding sites in the uplands and more restricted breeding in the lowlands.

Lapwing An abundant passage and winter visitor and a very common breeder.

Brown hare Recent local surveys show that brown hare is still widespread in the Durham BAP area, although there is little information on population trends.

Current or recent activity

•  The Working with Waders project run by RSPB and the North Pennines AONB up to 2002 aimed to influence decision making with regard to wading birds and their habitat.

•  Durham Bird Club's Bishop Middleham Wetlands Project has been ongoing since 2000, and has facilitated good management of private farmland for birds through agri-environment agreements, particularly through the development and management of wetland areas.

•  Gateshead Council's habitat creation and restoration work at Lamesely Pastures and Burdon Moor is primarily designed to help ground nesting waders.

•  Durham Bird Club's Page Bank Biodiversity Project is aimed at farmland bird species and has included pond and hedgerow creation, and tree sparrow boxes.

•  Supplementary winter feeding stations aimed at grey partridge, corn bunting, tree sparrow, reed bunting and linnet were set up in 2001/02 and 2003/04 in Easington District and Bishop Middleham.

•  Tree sparrow box scheme (Tree sparrow 1000) launched in 2001 by the Durham Biodiversity Partnership. Over 200 boxes constructed and erected by 2003.

•  Under Natural England's HLS scheme, Tree Sparrow and Corn Bunting are targeted for beneficial management.

•  The Action for Wildlife Project has completed a survey of landowners to compile data on Brown Hare distribution across the Mineral Valleys Project Area.

Threats

The main threats to farmland birds and mammals are:

Shortage of winter food: seed-rich stubbles have been replaced by winter planting, and mixed farming by monocultures. This is a particular problem for corn bunting, linnet, tree sparrow and brown hare.

Shortage of spring food for chicks: Pesticides have removed insect life from many farms, silage production has replaced flower-rich meadows, and drainage has reduced wet areas for insect breeding.

Loss of nesting habitat: Silage cutting makes grassland unsuitable for ground-nesting birds and disturbs brown hare during the breeding season. Winter cereals are too tall and dense to allow access by ground nesting birds after May, and field boundaries are less available and less suitable. This affects skylark, curlew, redshank, snipe, lapwing and brown hare.

Nest destruction: Increased stocking rates and increased spraying, rolling and harrowing can all destroy nests and reduce chick survival for the ground nesting birds.

Removal of scrub and loss of rank vegetation reduces suitable breeding areas for some species like reed bunting.

Drainage is a particular problem, reducing the availability of invertebrate food, and thereby the availability of suitable nesting sites. Curlew, snipe, redshank, lapwing and yellow wagtail are particularly affected.

Hedgerow Loss , in particular the loss of mature hedgerow trees, has reduced natural nesting sites for species such as tree sparrow.

Habitat isolation has a big effect on corn bunting, which is a fairly sedentary bird, and is increasingly isolated by surrounding unfavourable habitat.

Objectives To improve our knowledge of the distribution of corn bunting, tree sparrow and linnet. To monitor the range and population of brown hare. To increase the area of habitat created as resting and feeding areas for ground nesting birds and brown hare. To provide increased feeding and nesting opportunities for farmland passerines through artificial boxes and feeding stations. To increase the amount of wet lowland areas through reversal of drainage and pond creation. To help effectively target agri-environment funding to increase populations of farmland birds, and to reconnect isolated populations. To monitor the effectiveness of agri-environment schemes for farmland birds and brown hare.