The following is Ian Wells’s report written for the annual Birds and Butterflies of the Malvern HIlls 2024 edition compiled from observations of Malvern Bird Group Members (initials in brackets) and BirdTrack reports.
Surprisingly for this iconic bird of the hills there were only 15 records on BirdTrack, all but one in the breeding season on the high hills and surrounding commons and fields. The non-breeding BirdTrack record was 20 Oct and presumably a bird on the move.
Skylarks are watched closely by members of the Malvern Bird Group as their numbers have declined markedly in recent years on the hills and nationally and it is now a red list species. There were several early records of breeding activity on the lowlands, much earlier by at least two months than on the high hills.
The first of these records was a singing Skylark reported on 5 Jan by CS on Poolbrook common – a very early record and not to be followed until 6 Feb by JT This morning while walking my dog in the fields east of Mill Coppice I heard and saw my first Skylarks of the spring – one singing somewhere around SO768481 (I didn’t see that one) and 2 flew over calling at SO768479. And by SB: “My first two Skylarks singing near Leigh Sinton this morning”
“a pair of Skylarks on Castlemorton Common, one on the ground and one singing above, both sides of Gloucester Road. Also one singing above the field below Little Malvern Priory” SW 20 Feb.
In contrast there seemed to be little procreative activity on the high hills “In the cold windy mists of yesterday early morning there were 3 skylarks feeding busily on top of the Worcester Beacon – they were behaving as if breeding was the last thing on their mind – but maybe that will change.” IW 5 Mar
And it was not until 22 Mar that the first singing larks were reported on the high hills.
“This morning there were two skylarks singing on the Beacon – the same number as last year – despite the strong cold wind: the first territory on top of the Beacon is where it was last year where the grass is a bit longer on the ridge despite being a busy spot. The other is further north than last year on a previous favourite spot on the north-east side of the Beacon. How long he will stay I am not sure as the sward is marginal there, being possibly a bit short but there is a rougher longer patch that might just do it and it clearly thinks it is a desirable enough spot to tune up so fingers crossed. Having two singing larks means more singing as they compete of course.” IW
“It’s very pleasing to report from this morning that the skylark singing around the top of the Worcs beacon is paired having seen two together being nice rather than having a spat. And the bird on the territory on a shoulder to the North East of the Beacon was also singing very well. It seems to be centred on a rougher longer patch including Bilberry. So at least 3 and probably 4 larks on the hill in two territories. I drew another blank on North and Table hills.” 28 Mar
As well as the Worcester Beacon Skylark was reported further South on the hills. “There was also a pair of Skylarks just north of Summer Hill” PC 28 Mar
And a day or two later there were also reports from a little further North on the Sugarloaf by BH on 30 Mar and then on 11 Apr. “This morning I went in search of Ring Ouzel. Skylarks singing and displaying 1 on the top of North Hill on the east and 2 on the west side”
Later in the season there was one remarkable record of considerably more birds. “I noted the presence of five Skylarks, four of them singing males – each holding distinct territories, one of them alongside the Beacon itself.” JJ 27 May
However, by mid June Skylarks seemed to have left the high hills. The last records were on the 7th and 10th June whereas Skylarks breed up to late July, needing to raise an average of 3 broods to keep numbers up. “As we walked southward down from the crest of North Hill, a Skylark rose from the first rocky area and climbed, singing to almost out of sight above us. After what seemed quite a long time, it reappeared descending, still singing, eventually diving down to near the start point to stand highly-visibly on a rock.” DC 7 June
“Skylarks singing from two separate locations this morning, one above path below Sugarloaf Hill, West Malvern side, and one above the Beacon” SW 10 June. These were the last summer records on the hills.
However, having started earlier, breeding also continued later on the commons and surrounding lowlands.
“6-10 Skylarks present on Poolbrook Common including four which flew up and resettled together” SP 8 June
“Poolbrook Common – skylarks singing, at least two perhaps three” CS 2 July and records of singing Skylarks continued to mid-July, the last summer record being on the 14 July on Poolbrook common. CS – the next was an Autumn record by PH of a Skylark at the end of October whilst searching for Snow Buntings.
Five territories were recorded in the annual survey in late May/Early June by NU.
What to make of these observations of the breeding health of this species? In 1988 there were 54 pairs of skylarks recorded on the hills and surrounding commons. Numbers declined to the point where in 2016 no Skylarks bred on the high hills and numbers were much reduced on the commons. Six years later in 2022 Skylarks returned and at least one pair and probably 2-3 pairs bred on a small strip of longer un-grazed grass at the top of the Worcester Beacon and in the more lightly grazed area a little lower on the Eastern side of the Beacon. Less-tight grazing in some small areas seems to have made the difference, providing nesting cover and better food sources. It is difficult to be certain about breeding numbers because observers’ survey territories overlap leading to double-counting and Skylarks seen and heard might be prospecting and not settling to breed and also may include young.
Malvern Bird-group members met to discuss the topic and it seems that one-two pairs on North Hill, two, possibly three pairs on the Worcester Beacon, two or three pairs on Castlemorton common, two pairs on Poolbrook Common and up to five pairs on Hollybed common might be our best estimates of relatively stable breeding territories. This excludes birds on surrounding farmland.