Skylark Patches

The patch has been formed by lifting the drill. In spring it shows as bare soil with no weeds

A few weeds have grown in the centre of the patch. Skylarks land in the patch, and forage for insects and other minibeasts in the open soil. The patch forms a kind of door to the crop.

The clear ground in the patch allows spring weeds to grow. This patch is full of orache, a good food source for farmland birds, seeds are eaten by both adult and chick. However it is probably too full of weeds so birds are unable to land in it.

It may not be a good idea to use patches in heavily weed infested fields. This patch is full of black-grass.

To find out more about how to manage patches in your fields download Best Practice Guide to drilling Skylark Patches