Influence of habitat quality, landscape structure and food resources on breeding skylark (Alauda arvensis) territory distribution on restored landfill sites

► Skylark (Alauda arvensis) density on restored landfill grassland sites was comparable to that on farmland. ► Mean vegetation height and the size of the sites were significant predictors of the density of breeding skylarks at the local scale. ► Percentage of woodland, grassland and open habitat in the surrounding landscape had an influence at a larger scale. ► No differences in abundance nor species richness of skylark invertebrate prey groups were detected between occupied territories and reference sites. ► Recommendations for management include extensive cutting and use of species-rich seed mixes.