Mesotrophic grasslands, coastal landslips and undercliffs and inland on heathland, along country lanes with hedgebanks and other disturbed sandy situations. It is also reported from chalk downland (GB)
Moist habitats, meadows, forest edges and clearings, and alpine and sub-alpine meadows. In the Alps, it is found at altitudes up to 2,000 m asl (Frey-Gessner 1911). It settles mostly on grasslands, but also on other warm, dry, and open sites. It nests either on its own or in small aggregations, generally avoiding sandy soils (Kocourek 1966, Westrich 1989)(EU)