Best time to see: all year

Key facts

Small, stocky lark of heaths and open woodlands

Habitat: heaths or commons with scattered trees; recently cleared woodland

A few used to breed in Essex but no longer; occasional migrants

Recognition

Bold eyebrows meeting at nape; short tail with white corners; 15–16 cm

Usually on or near the ground; also perch on song posts before display flight

Feed mainly on seeds in short grass, also insects

Lifecycle

Nest is a cup on the ground in long grass

3 or 4 buffy eggs, spotted brown

2 broods late March to June