Skylark plots

Where it applies

Arable, Temporary grassland

Eligibility conditions

• Below the moorland line
• Land you identify as NOT at risk of soil erosion or surface runoff — keep evidence
• Not on land bounded by tree lines or adjacent to woods, unless the parcel is over 10ha
• Plots go between tramlines, away from poles and pylons, at least ~80m from field edges

What you'll do

Leave small unsown fallow plots (about 16 m², at least 3m wide) within a winter cereal crop so skylarks can nest and feed. Create them at drilling and keep them through to harvest; at least 2 plots per hectare.

Evidence to keep

• Written evidence the land isn't at risk of soil erosion or run-off
• Field operation records showing the plots, with a count per hectare
• Dated photos of the plots within the crop

Combining with other actions

Actions that can be paid on the same area:

• SFI 2026: OFC3, OFM4
• SFI 2024: CIPM1, CNUM1, CSAM1, OFC3, OFM4
• SFI 2023: IPM1, IPM4, NUM1, SAM1
• Countryside Stewardship: HS3, HS9, OR3, OT3