Bird feeding preferences among different crops in an area near Huntingdon

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A study of bird activity was made within an area of about 100 acres (40 ha.) which included a small pasture, crops of field beans, peas, rape and wheat and about 2200 yd. (2000 m.) of hedgerow. Thirteen species of birds bred in the area and a further 16 species were regular or casual visitors. Seventeen visits were made between 17 May and 20 July and birds were recorded in the hedges, fields and roadside verges during a standard walk. These records suggested a tendency for the hedgerow nesting species to feed near the edges of fields rather than out in the middle during this period. More birds were seen in the bean, pea and rape crops than in the wheat and the pea field supported an especially large population. Examination of 6 sparrows and 2 Skylarks taken about the end of June showed that these were feeding mainly on beetles and aphids occurring on the crops rather than on soil invertebrates. Insecticides were not used at this site in 1966 but attention is directed to the possible impact of DDT on birds when used against pea moth or the rape blossom beetle in such circumstances.