skylark
Alauda arvensis

Ground-nesting bird of open fields, famous for its warbling song

Habitat: large open fields with short vegetation, also saltmarsh and wasteland

Widespread resident, but in long term decline

Heavily streaked brown bird with small crest and white outer tail

Except in its towering song flight in spring/early summer, usually seen on or near the ground

Main food is grain and weed seeds; also insects

Nest is a cup made of grasses on the ground

3 or 4 greyish eggs, blotched brown

2–3 broods April to June