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WORDS ON BIRDS
Cooperative Effort Needed to Save Grassland Birds
June 14, 2008
Steve Grinley
I have written before about the plight of grassland
birds here in Massachusetts, particularly bobolinks, meadowlarks, and
grassland sparrows. The loss of habitat is the big problem, but where
there is suitable habitat, the threat of early mowing by farmers turns
the birds' breeding habitat into a Cuisinart for nests, nestlings and
young fledglings. Delaying the mowing until late July, or using
rotational plot techniques can help ensure the breeding success for
more these birds. This had been an issue with the Common Pastures in
Newbury and Newburyport, as well as at Woodsom Farm in Amesbury.
Lauren Montague of Amesbury, who is a Woodsom Farm
grassland bird volunteer surveyor, offers the following perspective
for Woodsom Farms:
"The town of Amesbury, nearly 20 years after the
initial purchase of Woodsom Farm in 1989, is finally taken steps to
begin the process of putting together a much needed comprehensive
resource management plan for the property. A crucial first step in
this process is to systematically document the number and types of
species that inhabit, and breed at the farm. To achieve this goal,
they have hired expert consultants from Massachusetts Audubon's
Ecological Extension Service (EES) to assess the current situation and
make recommendations.
"To assist in this project, this week a group of
citizen volunteers, led and trained by Mass Audubon's EES Director
Jeffrey Collins, is conducting a rapid response grassland bird survey
at Woodsom Farm – the purpose – to count and specifically locate
nesting grassland birds, species which extensive surveys conducted by
the USGS and others have indicated have plunged in numbers in recent
decades. The causes of this devastation are many, from deforestation
of winter grounds, pesticide use, and habitat loss. Of these factors,
the loss of grassland environments to suburban development represents
the biggest factor in Massachusetts, and makes town owned properties
such as Woodsom and Battis Farms in Amesbury so vitally important if
these species are to recover, or at least to survive.
"The survey teams are focusing on three species:
Eastern Meadowlark , Bobolink, and Savannah Sparrow. Each of these
three faces particular challenges due to development pressures.
Eastern Meadowlark numbers in particular have been in steep decline,
with Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) conducted by the Biological Resources
Division of the US Geological Survey and volunteers throughout the
country citing a decline of 97% in the period from 1966-1991... Since
that data was released, this species continues to face further
alarming declines.
"To put these national statistics on a smaller scale
closer to home, as little as ten years ago, if you went to Woodsom
Farm you were greeted by the signature "Spring of the Earth" melody
from Eastern Meadowlarks singing from all around you, often perching
on the fence posts serenading you as you walked the farm property.
Now, to catch a glimpse of these birds, and hear their cheerful melody
is a rare treat. Bobolinks travel thousands of miles from their
wintering grounds in South America and arrive in early May to start
their courtship rituals. The pairs select appropriate nesting spots on
the ground and begin the breeding process. As the males set out to
attract females, you hear their effervescent "R2D2" like song. Once
eggs are laid, the incubation period is between 11-13 days. The
helpless, down covered chicks fledge 10-14 days later...
"Documenting the extent of this [nesting] activity will
help form the basis of the management of the land, which has
traditionally including haying by a Massachusetts dairy farmer. At
odds is the timing of this mowing. Dairy farmers like to serve their
cows "first cut" hay, mowed by mid June, which has higher nutritional
value. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Bobolinks and other
nesting birds will not be able to fledge their young by this date, and
ideally would need a mow date either in late July or early August in
order to insure a successful breeding season. Mowing earlier than
mid-July turns these fields effectively into "killing fields" as far
as these birds go.
"There are several grassland maintenance plans
recommended by the USGS, including rotational and other mowing
techniques, and other grazing programs which could satisfy the
interests of both parties. Additionally, beef farmers do not need
first cut hay, so there may be other farmers who would be interested
in mowing the fields later in the season....
"Thankfully the Town of Amesbury is finally taking
steps to rationalize this process, as part of its responsibility as
stewards of this amazingly unique natural resource. It should also be
remembered that this is not private land or a private farm that is
being assessed, but instead this is a public space that belongs to the
citizens of Amesbury for the benefit of ALL. Therefore, the citizens
of the town should be, and are, participating in this process, which
hopefully will be a transparent and rational one.
"Let's hope it is not too late to take action on this
issue. I would hate that Joni Mitchell's poignant words to Yellow Taxi
would apply in the case of Woodsom Farm - "don't it always seem to go,
that you don't know what you've got till it's gone. They paved
paradise and put up a parking lot."
"For more information regarding the Woodsom Farm
Grassland Bird Survey – please contact Jeffrey Collins at Mass
Audubon. Additional information may be found on the Massachusetts
Audubon site
http://www.massaudubon.org/Birds_and_Birding/grassland/."
Steve Grinley
Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift and Nature Shop at Joppa Flats
Newburyport, MA
BirdWSG@Verizon.net
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