BIJLSMA RG, LENSINK R & POST F (1985) The Woodlark Lullula arborea as a breeding bird in the Netherlands in 1970 - 1984. LIMOSA 58 (3): 89-96.

Wood Lark Lullula arborea In this article a detailed description is given of the distribution, breeding densities, population trends, and habitat choice of Woodlarks in the Netherlands in 1970-84. Potential breeding sites were visited and censused during 1980-84, especially during 1984 (68% of the 5x5 km squares, 63% of all pairs). An estimated total of 2500-3000 pairs was found (tab. 1), which is more than twice the estimated total of 1000-1200 pairs during 1973-77 (Bijlsma 1979 and new information). Breeding was confined to the sandy, pleistocene soils in the eastern and southern parts of the country, and to the dunes of Noord- en Zuid-Holland (fig. 1). Local populations on the pleistocene soils sharply increased from 1979-81 onwards, and in most instances more than doubled within a few years (fig. 2). The population in the dunes of Noord- en Zuid-Holland, on the other hand, fluctuated considerably, and apparent1y decreased during the last decade. Preferred habitats are inland dunes (8.9-23.0 pairs/IOO ha) and poor, sandy heather (0.8-19.0 pairs/100 ha). Much lower densities occur in the dunes along the coast (0.6-1.5 pairs/100 ha). Intermediate densities are found on clear-fellings (9.2-11.2 pairs/lOO ha). Favoured, probably optimal habitats held fluctuating numbers of breeding Woodlarks. However, the magnitude of the fluctuations makes it clear that the breeding densities were never far from the carrying capacity of these areas, even during the decrease in the total Dutch population during the seventies. The pronounced increase in breeding numbers from 1979 onwards was largely due to the (re-)colonization of less optimal heatherland and, above all, clear-fellings (fig. 3). It is thought that the increase in the Dutch population of Woodlarks was favoured by the creation of large clear-fellings after storms and fires during the period 1972-76. Woodlarks seem to have adapted themselves successfully to the changing environment, despite many adverse developments during the last decade, such as a decrease in the area of sand dunes and heatherland, eutrofication of the heather, increased recreation, habitat destruction, reduction in scale of forestry, and cold, wet springs. However, the continued protection of favoured habitats as sand dunes and poor heatherland will remain necessary to preserve a notable population of Woodlarks, particularly after the clear-fellings have been rendered unsuitable through re-afforestation.

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