HABITAT SELECTION BY CORN BUNTINGS MILIARIA-CALANDRA IN WINTER

This paper presents the results of a survey of wintering Corn Buntings in Britain organized by the British Trust for Ornithology during winter 1992/93. The survey collected information on the distribution, numbers and habitat selection of Corn Buntings throughout their known range in Britain in order to assess winter habitat requirements. Volunteers surveyed a total of 1313 tetrads which between them held nearly 3000 birds in 222 flocks. Sixty-four per cent of flocks held fewer than 10 birds. Fifty per cent of flocks and 60% of birds were recorded on stubble. Weed-rich stubble held approximately twice the numbers of flocks and birds as clean stubble. Corn Buntings showed a stronger preference for stubbles than for any other field type. Winter cereals and improved grassland were generally avoided whilst bare till and unimproved (or semi-improved) grassland were used in proportion to their availability. Areas which lost breeding birds between the 2 Breeding Atlas periods contained less weedrich stubble and less arable land generally than areas which retained breeding birds. However, there were no significant differences in the availability of stubble between tetrads in which birds were recorded on stubbles and those in which they were recorded on other field types. Flocks recorded on stubble were not significantly larger than those recorded on other field types and did not differ in size between different regions of Britain. The results of the survey suggest that recent changes in agricultural policy, if implemented sympathetically, are likely to benefit this species in winter.