The importance of winter catch crops compared with other farmland habitats to birds wintering in Poland

The study examined the importance of winter catch crops (intercrops) to wintering birds in a low-intensity farming area of Poland. Birds were counted on two occasions between November 2009 and January 2010 in 514 research plots in two different parts of the country. During the two counts 28 species were recorded. Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella, Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra, Tree Sparrow Passer montanus and Shorelark Eremophila alpestris were the most numerous species. The statistical analysis (GLZ) of the influence of survey, location and habitat types on the occurrence of birds in the farmland did not reflect the significant effect on any variables. Significant differences in densities of birds between the habitats analysed (GLM) were noted. The stubbles supported a relatively greater density of birds than the mustard winter catch crop and ploughed fields. Increasing the area of winter catch crops at the expense of ploughed fields may favour birds, but when winter crops are sown in fields that would otherwise be left as stubble, wintering conditions for birds deteriorate, especially for buntings.