Thanks to all who responded about my concerns over some local nesting
Bobolinks in a meadow subject to harvest. There were 15 emails and two
phone calls within three days. Many folks expressed similar concerns
over nesting pairs in their area. Here is a summary of helpful advice
that I received from MNR and others.
1) Best solution - Delay cutting the field until after August 1st.
when the young have fledged for sure. This is the mostly likely
solution in our case.
2) Mark the location of the nests with a 10 m square. This will
usually amount to a small loss and minor inconvenience for the farmer,
but it also makes it easier for predators to locate the nests and puts
the nestlings at greater risk. Also you have to locate the nests
without unduly upsetting the birds or destroying them yourself.
3) Pay the farmer NOT to cut the field. (ALUS)
Bobolinks are in decline due to warmer summers and cutting hay
earlier. Joe Nocera of MNR provided a paper detailing with the trade-
offs of delaying the cut. You can get a copy at http://www.whc.org/documents/2-37A-3SNoceraetal-CompatibilityofDelayedCuttingRegimewithBirdBreedingandHayNutritionalQuali.pdf
.
John Haig provide a link to a possible solution in California
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080516/NEWS01/805160327/1002
Thanks to Dan Bone you can learn about ALUS (Alternate Land Use
Services) at http://www.deltawaterfowl.org/pr/news/071206_torontonow.phpon
This sounds like something we could encourage at the provincial and
regional government levels.
All great stuff!
As of last Friday, we counted three competing males east of our
driveway and at least four on the west side. It makes for a great
natural surround sound concert when most of them are in the air at the
same time and all singing their little hearts out.
Thanks again for the great advice!
Now the next question is what to do about the fact that the normal
nesting site for our local Red-necked Grebes is still under water
since Lake Ontario is currently about 30 cm higher than average. Will
the delayed nesting affect the probably success of their efforts this
year?
Eric Harrison
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