Wild Animal Welfare

Wild Skylark Welfare and Nesting Protection

Skylark nesting protection through delayed cutting and skylark plots is evidence-based and delivers measurable welfare benefit for breeding pairs.

Key Facts

Skylarks make 2-3 nesting attempts per season if habitat remains suitable
Each additional breeding attempt increases annual fledgling production significantly
Skylark plots of 20x20m sown as bare earth increase nesting density in winter wheat
Delayed silage cutting after July 15 allows most breeding attempts to complete
British farmers have created thousands of skylark plots under agri-environment schemes

Welfare Considerations

Individual skylark pairs nesting on farms with skylark plots and delayed cutting successfully raise more chicks per season. The welfare benefit - more chicks fledged, less nest failure from cutting - is directly measurable for identifiable breeding pairs.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes that incentivise skylark plots on farms
Advocate for delayed cutting requirements in upland and lowland grassland schemes
Engage with RSPB and BTO skylark monitoring programmes