SUMMARY
Exmoor ESA
A breeding bird survey was completed of moorland on Exmoor (Section 3 Moor and Heath), covering 153.7 km2 using an adaptation of the Brown and Shepherd (1993) methodology. Survey areas were visited twice, the first visits took place from 16 April–31 May 2002, and the second visits from 1 June–12 July 2002.
Population estimates were obtained for 23 target species. In some instances, where survey data was insufficient, supplementary records from surveyors and other birdwatchers were used to produce best estimates.
Eight species have declined since 1992/93, four species have maintained stable populations, four species have indeterminable trends, six species have increased and there has been one colonist. The decreases were of red grouse, lapwing, curlew, skylark, tree pipit, whinchat, wheatear, and ring ouzel, whilst the increases were of meadow pipit, redstart, stonechat, grasshopper warbler, linnet and reed bunting. Dartford warbler has colonised in the past 10 years. Trends were indeterminable for the previously unsurveyed cuckoo, whitethroat, carrion crow and yellowhammer.
Exmoor populations of stonechat and whinchat, are of international importance, whereas the Dartford Warbler population is of national importance. Populations of snipe, curlew, cuckoo, tree pipit, redstart, grasshopper warbler, linnet, and reed bunting are of regional importance. Meadow pipit and skylark were the most abundant and widespread species, with skylark more abundant on grass moor. Of the remaining species, linnet, then stonechat and whinchat were the next most widespread and abundant heathland species.
Indications are that moorland management prescriptions under the ESA scheme are having a positive effect on most Exmoor moorland bird populations in areas where they are in operation. However, localised overgrazing, swaling and scrub encroachment, is causing habitat change within some combes, which may be contributing to declines in the breeding populations of tree pipit, whinchat and ring ouzel.
Cotswold Hills ESA
The Cotswold Hills ESA is an area of 85,000 ha of rolling farmland with a steep west-facing scarp. Designated in 1994, it is a mixture of arable farmland, grassland and broad-leaved woodland.
In the light of continuing declines of farmland birds, monitoring of existing core populations is important. In 1997, a survey of Cotswold Hills ESA was carried out using Breeding Bird Survey techniques. In 2002, a repeat survey was carried out to provide an updated view of the ESA's importance for key farmland bird species and to assess changes in the populations of these species.
The densities of nine species of farmland bird (blackcap, chaffinch, dunnock, pheasant, pied wagtail, robin, whitethroat and wren) appear to have changed between 1997 and 2002; these changes are in line with short-term national population trends.
All finches appear to have increased in density; yellowhammer and marsh tit, both red-listed species, appear to be stable in the ESA.
Five species (including red-listed birds linnet, bullfinch, grey partridge and house sparrow) appear to be increasing within the ESA, even though they are declining nationally.
Starling, lapwing, corn bunting and skylark are all birds of conservation concern that appear to be declining within the ESA as in the rest of England.
Lapwing, tree sparrow and corn bunting populations in the ESA are extremely vulnerable and require targeted conservation effort in order to be maintained.
The Cotswold Hills ESA now holds nationally important populations of sixteen bird species, including five red- and two amber -listed species. In 1997 it was found to hold nationally important populations of 21 species, including 2 red and 4 amber-listed species.
It is likely that the future agri-environment scheme operating within the current ESA will provide the most effective means of influencing land management over much of the area.
Recommendations are made on the principles and content of future agri environment schemes operating within the ESA.