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Woodlark
©
© Ralph Martin
Conservation programme for birds in Switzerland - Priority species

Woodlark

In Switzerland, the Woodlark is found mainly in the wooded pastures of the Jura Arc and in the vineyards of Valais, where it finds sparse, lean vegetation, rich in easily accessible insects, as well as structures that serve as song perches.

Following a sharp decline in numbers until the 1990s, the Swiss population is now showing positive growth, particularly in the Jura Arc. The main conservation measures to support this positive trend are the promotion of extensive management of well-structured wooded pastures, as well as partial grassing and the creation of structural elements in vineyards.

Distribution and development

Schematic distribution
Verbreitung - Woodlark
Schematic distribution during the breeding season (ochre), in winter time (dotted in blue) or during migration periods (dotted in vinaceous).
Breeding bird index
The graph shows the relative evolution of the breeding population in Switzerland (100 = mean value). Example: A value of 130 means that the population in the corresponding year was 30% above the mean value of the entire period considered.
Distribution and prevalence in Switzerland
  • Mainly present in the Jura Arc and Valais.
  • Small populations in the Randen mountain range in Schaffhausen and in the canton of Geneva; a few pairs in other cantons.
  • The Swiss population is estimated at 250–300 pairs and increasing.
Development in Switzerland
  • Significant reduction in numbers and distribution between 1950 and the end of the 1990s.
  • Stabilisation of the population at a very low level until 2014–2016.
  • Significant regional increases since 2017.
International
  • Species with mainly European distribution.
  • Large populations in the Iberian Peninsula, Turkey, Romania and Poland.
  • Numbers and range are increasing in Europe, particularly in the north.

Habitat and food

©
© Anatole Gerber

The Woodlark requires short, sparse vegetation for feeding, as well as structures (e.g., rocky outcrops, piles of rocks, low wall) that provide food and song perches. These elements are found in extensively managed wooded pastures (Cortébert BE, 2016).

©
© Julien Mazenauer

In the vineyards of Valais the Woodlark favours partially grassed and richly structured vines (Salquenen VS, 2023).

©
© Marco Pilati

Rich in bare soil, varied structures and sparse vegetation, military sites also provide a suitable habitat for the Woodlark (Bure JU, 2024).

©
© Anatole Gerber

The Woodlark requires short, sparse vegetation for feeding, as well as structures (e.g., rocky outcrops, piles of rocks, low wall) that provide food and song perches. These elements are found in extensively managed wooded pastures (Cortébert BE, 2016).

©
© Julien Mazenauer

In the vineyards of Valais the Woodlark favours partially grassed and richly structured vines (Salquenen VS, 2023).

©
© Marco Pilati

Rich in bare soil, varied structures and sparse vegetation, military sites also provide a suitable habitat for the Woodlark (Bure JU, 2024).

Habitat
Farmland
Fallows, Vineyards, Meadows and pastures
Dry areas and rocks
Rocky steppes, Steppes
Food
Insects and spiders
Insects, Spiders, Ants, Insect larvae, Small insects
Seeds
Cereal seeds, Grass seeds
Worms
Invertebrates
Habitat and food requirements

The Woodlark prefers open, very sunny environments with well-drained soil, sparse vegetation and rich in bushes and other structural elements such as wooded pastures and vines.

Feeding habitat

  • Short and patchy vegetation.
  • Surfaces with bare soil and small rocky outcrops.

Nesting site

  • On the ground, near clumps of vegetation.

Winter habitat

  • A partial migrant, the Woodlark spends the winter in western Switzerland or further afield in France or Spain.
  • At wintering sites it is found in cultivated agricultural land and in fallow areas.
Conservation programme for birds in Switzerland - Priority species

Woodlark

In Switzerland, the Woodlark is found mainly in the wooded pastures of the Jura Arc and in the vineyards of Valais, where it finds sparse, lean vegetation, rich in easily accessible insects, as well as structures that serve as song perches.

Following a sharp decline in numbers until the 1990s, the Swiss population is now showing positive growth, particularly in the Jura Arc. The main conservation measures to support this positive trend are the promotion of extensive management of well-structured wooded pastures, as well as partial grassing and the creation of structural elements in vineyards.
Priority species at national level
The ‘responsibility’ factor describes the international significance of the Swiss population of a species. The allocation to responsibility classes was based primarily on geographical distribution (Switzerland, Europe or worldwide) and the genetic and/or ecological significance of Swiss populations.
  • Exclusive responsibility
  • Very high responsibility
  • High responsibility
  • Responsibility
  • Joint responsibility
  • Minimal joint responsibility
Operational level
The level at which measures should be taken for all national priority species is specified within the framework of specific 'species conservation' (SC), 'habitat conservation' (HC), or the biodiversity-friendly use of natural resources on the ""entire territory"" (ET) by all sectoral policies. Each species has been assigned to only one level. If measures at the 'entire territory' (ET) level are insufficient for the conservation and promotion of the species, measures at the second level, 'specific habitat conservation' (HC), are required. If this is also insufficient, specific 'species conservation' (SC) measures must also be applied. Therefore, a species requiring specific species conservation measures must also be given special consideration when implementing measures at the 'specific habitat conservation' and 'entire country area' levels.
  • SC species conservation
  • HC habitat conservation
  • NT national territory
SC
Urgency
An expert assessment was made of the urgency with which measures should be implemented, continued and/or newly planned for all species assigned to the specific 'species conservation' and 'habitat conservation' action levels. The two factors of endangerment and international responsibility were considered, as were the prospects of success.
  • Necessary and important
Circle
Circle
Circle
Population in Switzerland
(2025)
The population estimate indicates how many pairs bred during the specified period. As this number fluctuates from year to year and due to uncertainties in population surveys, a range is given. For some species that are difficult to survey, only displaying males are listed. The population estimates cannot be simply doubled to derive the number of individuals. The number of birds is much higher after the breeding season, some birds take years to reach reproductive maturity, and in some cases the sex ratio is not 1:1.
500-1100pairs
Red List
Red lists are based on the scientific criteria of the IUCN and assess the risk of extinction of a species. This helps to identify where there is a particularly urgent need for action in nature conservation.
  • Vulnerable (VU)

Birds of Switzerland

Woodlark To the species profile in the bird database

Project managers

Threats, activities and forecasts
Limiting factors and threats

Habitat loss and loss of quality are the main limiting factors for the species in Switzerland. In addition, the use of plant protection products reduces the supply of food in potentially suitable habitats, especially in vineyards.

 
Breeding season
  • Habitat loss due to intensification of agricultural practices, homogenisation of the landscape, or the encroachment of scrub on uncultivated land.
  • Adverse weather conditions during the breeding season.
 
Migration/ Winter
  • Adverse weather and excessive snow cover reduce availability and access to food during migration and at wintering sites.
Show more
Necessary activities
Monitoring
  • Each year, areas are identified in the Chasseral Park and the Randen mountain range in Schaffhausen.
  • Other reference areas in other regions would improve the overall picture of the species’ status in Switzerland.
 
Conservation
  • Conservation of areas with sparse vegetation and rocky outcrops.
  • Promotion of extensive pasture management.
  • Promotion of small structures.
  • Promotion of wooded pastures.
  • Reopening of overgrown poor pastures.
  • Promotion of partial grassing and structures in vineyards.
 
Research
  • More in-depth studies on the recent positive development of the species in Switzerland and on its habitat preferences in wooded pastures.
  • Studies on breeding success and population dynamics.
Show more
Prospects for success and prognostics
  • The Swiss populations of the Woodlark are following a positive trend, probably due to favourable climatic conditions.
  • There is a need to protect currently occupied sites and to improve habitat quality at potentially suitable sites to support population growth.
Show more
Conservation measures and stakeholders
Promote extensive grazing
Extensive grazing promotes species- and structure-rich vegetation.
Show more
Agriculture
Cantons
Create patchy vegetation
Patchy vegetation improves food accessibility at ground level.
Show more
Agriculture
Cantons
Promote small structures
Small structures such as piles of branches or stones, patches of sand or dry stone walls promote biodiversity.
Show more
Agriculture
Cantons
Nature conservation
Parcs
Promote singing or hunting perches
Individual shrubs, trees or wooden posts can serve as singing and hunting perches and improve habitat quality.
Show more
Agriculture
Cantons
Nature conservation
Parcs
Promote extensive farming

Avoidance of the fertilisation of pastures fertilisation preserves sparse vegetation, and non-use of plant protection products promotes food supply.

Show more
Agriculture
Cantons
Conservation projects Swiss Ornithological Institute
Species conservation
Species promotion – Woodlark
vogelwarte.ch
Applied research
Spatial decision-support tools
vogelwarte.ch
Publications
Additional resources
The rich birdlife of vineyards
vogelwarte.ch
Additional resources
Jura pastures under increasing pressure
vogelwarte.ch
©
© Ralph Martin
Birds of Switzerland

Woodlark

The fluting song of the Woodlark is one of the most beautiful among wild birds and can be heard during the day as well as at night. The trilling or melancholic phrases that drop in pitch towards the end led to the Woodlark’s scientific name Lullula and the French name “Alouette lulu”. The open and rather dry habitats interspersed with patchy vegetation, which it prefers, have become ...
To the species profile in the bird database

Synergies with other priority species

Eurasian Skylark
Common Redstart
Eurasian Hoopoe
European Nightjar
Conservation ProgrammeFor birds in switzerland Contact

The “Swiss species recovery programme for birds” is a partnership programme between the Swiss Ornithological Institute, BirdLife Switzerland and the FOEN. Together with the federal government, cantons, nature conservation organisations and other stakeholders, it implements targeted measures for priority bird species to ensure their survival.

Swiss Ornithological Institute
vogelwarte.ch
BirdLife Switzerland
birdlife.ch
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
bafu.admin.ch