Managing Agri-Environment Grass Fields and Margins for Orthoptera and Farmland Birds
		David Smith Supervisors: Ken Norris, Simon Potts Orthoptera (grasshoppers and bush crickets) are a particularly important summer food resource for a number of declining farmland bird species, in particular the Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus) Since the mid-twentieth century grassland management in the UK has become increasingly intensive and the resultant tall dense swards are unlikely to favour Orthopteran species Extensification of grassland management under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS), however, has the potential to provide large areas of rough or semi-improved grassland that may increase the populations of Orthoptera within the farmland landscape This study will assess the conservation value of different CSS prescriptions for Orthoptera and the results will be used to guide future conservation and CSS management. OBJECTIVES The main objectives of this study are to: Assess the relative conservation value of different CSS prescriptions Identify those factors that limit Orthopteran abundance and distribution within CSS sites Evaluate current management practices and to propose potential improvements. METHODS In the first and second years, an extensive survey of Orthoptera has been conducted in order to determine the abundance and distribution within and between farms with CSS agreements. These data will be used to asses the relative conservation value of different CSS prescriptions for Orthoptera and to determine how sward structure and habitat management affect the abundance and distribution of Chorthippus parallelus populations. OUTPUTS The findings will have implications for farmland bird conservation. The study is funded jointly by ...