NOORDEB B VAN (2013) Ten winters of farmland bird censuses in a Hamster Cricetus cricetus reserve. LIMOSA 86 (3): 153-168.

In 2000 a conservation program for the Common Hamster was started in the Netherlands, after the species almost became extinct in 1999. This comprised the establishment of hamster-friendly management in arable field reserves. In 2002 the first reserve (49 ha) was founded in Sibbe in the south of the Province Limburg. Farmland birds were also expected to benefit from the hamster friendly management. This paper summarises the results of ten year winter counts of farmland birds at Sibbe. Management measures included the cultivation of 20-30 m wide alternating strips with cereals, lucerne Medicago sativa and black radish Raphanus sativus. The crop was not harvested and remained on the field during winter. The cereals attracted many Tree sparrows Passer montanus (maximum 790), Yellowhammers Emberiza citronella (2023) and Corn Buntings Miliaria calandra (122). Distances up to 7 km between wintering and breeding sites were bridged by colour-ringed residential Yellowhammers. The non-harvested cereals are also a plentiful food source for mice, particularly Common Vole Microtus arvalis. These attracted many predators, like Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus (max. 6), Common Buzzard Buteo buteo (14), Rough-legged buzzard (4) and Kestrel Falco tinunculus (14). The hamster management thus created excellent winter habitat for the Hen Harrier of which the strong decline of the Dutch breeding population has been attributed to poor winter survival. The oil-containing seed of black radish was very popular among Brambling Fringilla montifringilla (max. 740), Greenfinch Chloris chloris (1300) and Linnet Carduelis cannabina (1000). The management could be improved for Reed bunting Emberiza schoenicles (max. 163) by enlarging the amount of weeds like Lamb's Quarters Chenopodium alba or Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris. Lucerne was not very useful for wintering farmland birds. The hamster management was not beneficial to wintering Skylarks Alauda arvensis because the standing crops are too tall and dense for this species. In several species, notably Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer and Greenfinch, the exploitation of food crops in the study area was limited by the availability of cover (hedgerows etc), indicating improvement of feeding conditions for farmland passerines will be more effective when implemented near suitable cover.

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