Adequacy of winter stubble maintenance for steppe passerine conservation in central Spain

Maintaining winter stubble for the conservation of steppe passerines is widely implemented under the regional agri-environmental program in Spanish dry lands. The adequacy of such measures was assessed in terms of bird density on different soil cover types in central Spain. Highest bird densities were found in ploughed, sown and fallow plots. Stubble plots were poorly used by wintering passerines compared to other soil cover types. The maintenance of stubble should be therefore reconsidered as an agri-environmental commitment in the Spanish programs.