Prescribed Fire Helps Restore Heathland Bird Populations, Study Finds
- Rob Beeson
- 22 hours ago
- 1 min read
Paper: Territory densities of heathland breeding birds are enhanced by fire on military training areas
A new study comparing two large heathlands in Europe has found that prescribed fire can significantly benefit bird species that rely on open heath habitats.
Researchers looked at 91 plots - some on a military training area regularly shaped by fire, and others in a nature reserve mainly managed by grazing. The difference was striking:
On the military site, over two-thirds of each plot was open ground.
In the grazed reserve, more than half the area was semi-open, with thicker vegetation.
Birds that favour open heathland - such as the Woodlark and Stonechat - had 1.6 times higher territory densities in the fire-managed areas compared to the grazed ones. Birds preferring more cover showed no difference in numbers between the two sites.
The study found that fire helps in two key ways:
Maintains nutrient balance, supporting insects and improving egg-laying conditions.
Creates bare ground, allowing easier access to invertebrate prey.
Importantly, this supports the traditional idea that periodic burning - when carefully managed - is not destructive, but vital for maintaining healthy, diverse heathland habitats.
The researchers recommend more frequent, mosaic-style prescribed burning - even outside military areas - to help rejuvenate heathlands and support species in decline.
Takeaway: For those managing moorland, this study reinforces that well-planned burning remains a powerful tool for restoring wildlife-rich, open landscapes.
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