Shore Lark
Eremophila alpestris (Linnaeus, 1758)
SX
SHOLA
9780
Family: Passeriformes > Alaudidae
As its name suggests, the Shore Lark is found around our shoreline, where it quietly feeds on the seeds of saltmarsh plants washed up along the tidelines.
The Shore Lark is a scarce winter visitor to the UK, occurring mainly on the eastern coasts of England and Scotland. During cold, windswept days this habitat may not be so different from this species' high-Arctic breeding grounds. Shore Larks have distinctive yellow and black facial markings, but their plumage is otherwise mottled brown with a paler underside. Small flocks can be hard to pick out in coastal habitats.
The European breeding population is estimated to be around 7 million pairs. This gives some perspective on its scarcity in the UK, where around 100 birds can arrive in a winter. Like most birds escaping the freezing conditions further north, Shore Lark numbers fluctuate wildly between years, depending on the severity of the weather the birds are escaping.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Shore Lark
Identification
Shore Lark identification is often straightforward.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Shore Lark, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Flight call
Song
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
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Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| UK Birds of Conservation Concern | Amber listed |
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | Yes |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
WCA(I,IV), Bern(III) |
POPULATION SIZE
| UK (winter) | 110 (2012-17) |
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Norfolk, 1830 |
DISTRIBUTION
Shorelarks are mostly recorded mostly in winter, predominantly in coastal habitats on the east coast of England and in southeast Scotland, where they feed on the tideline and amongst saltmarsh and sand-dune vegetation. Shorelarks have been confirmed to breed in the UK in only two years, most recently in 2003. None were recorded in suitable breeding habitat during 2008–11.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in winter | 62 |
| % occupied in winter | 2.1 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
The winter distribution of Shorelarks in Britain has changed little since the 1981–84 Winter Atlas; a 4% range contraction was recorded. Gains and losses tend to balance out, particularly along the east coast.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | --3.8% |
SEASONALITY
Shore Lark is an autumn and winter visitor, typically arriving in October.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Shore Lark, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
01–Feb |
|
Egg Size
|
23×16 mm Weight = 3.2 g (of which 6% is shell) |
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
|
Maximum Age from Ringing
|
3 years 1 months 15 days (set in 2000)
|
BIOMETRICS
|
Wing Length
|
Adults | 107.1±3.8 | Range 103–113mm, N=24 |
|
Body Weight
|
Adults | 36.1±3.2 | Range 30.8–39.5g, N=24 |
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Ring size
|
A or B (pulli B) |
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: SX | 5-letter code: SHOLA | Euring: 9780 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Effects of crop diversification and low pesticide inputs on bird populations on arable land
- Habitat use by seed-eating birds: a scale-dependent approach
- Suitability of patches and in-field strips for sky larks Alauda arvensis in a small-parcelled mixed farming area
Read more studies about Shore Lark on Conservation Evidence >
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