Bird Life of Woodland and Forest

Woodlands offer birds an extremely wide range of habitats. In this book, the variation in bird life in woodlands, and the factors that influence bird numbers and distributions are examined. What birds are found in which habitats? What effect does forestry and woodland management have? How can we enhance bird populations by habitat management? Are bird numbers and distributions in natural and managed forests different - and if so, why? The gamut of British woodland is covered, from ancient coppice and wood-pasture in the lowlands, to recently-planted conifer forests in the uplands, and comparisons are drawn with mainland Europe and North America. The book discusses the effects of factors such as increased deer numbers, air-pollution and new wood creation on lowland farms, all of which are changing the face of our woodlands today. This book is a must for all those interested in woodlands, and the birds which live in them.

Preface; Introduction; 1. Britain's woodland environment; 2. Historical and European perspectives; 3. How birds use woodland; 4. Abundance and distribution of woodland birds; 5. Scrub; 6. Broadleaved high forest and coppice; 7. Upland woods and wood-pasture; 8. Coniferous woodland; 9. Woodland in a changing countryside; Appendix 1. Species of birds using woodland, forest and scrub habitats in Britain: their habitats, nest sites, food and feeding sites; Appendix 2. Woodland and scrub bird species breeding in mainland Europe, but not in Britain: a summary of their distribution, breeding habitats and nest sites; Appendix 3. Glossary; Appendix 4. Latin names of birds, other animals and plants of woodland; References.

Woodlands offer birds a wide range of habitats in which to live. But what determines which birds live where, and how can we safeguard and encourage bird populations today? This book examines the complex relationship between woodlands and their bird life, and will be a must for all those interested in birds and their woodland homes.