Got a question for others from the manager of some of the land at the corner of King Rd and Sandbank Rd I had written him last year to ask about his mowing plans, wanted to make sure he knew it was important nesting habitat for bobolinks among others, and he was aware and sensitive to that. He has just written me again, with the following note, which is pasted under mine, and I wonder if anyone could help him with his questions. His name is Steve Selin and his email is steve.se...@gmail.com. Maybe it would be helpful for responses to be cced to the list so we'll know when someone has helped him (and we won't inundate him)? Plus, the answers might be instructive for us all. Thanks so much for any guidance. Melissa -------
"I don’t know if I updated you on this field that you contacted me about. Last year we worked with the owner on establishing a conservation easement so it will never be subdivided. I am planting an orchard on a few acres of it, and there rest is still open. I would like to keep it in field, and would like to manage it with the lowest impact on the birds while also keeping the trees and shrubs from coming back. Historically this would be done by letting a hay farmer cut hay. However they often need to cut during breeding seasons. Do you know anyone around here who knows what options there are for help in managing the fields without disturbing the breeding birds? " I think that brush-hogging it later in the summer would work, but would cost money, as opposed to having a hay farmer hay it for free or for a small lease amount.Sometimes there are DEC programs to help with management like this. Are you aware of any programs to help keep fields open but without negatively impacting wildlife." Steve Selin -- Melissa Groo nature photographer . wildlife biographer . educator www.melissagroo.com Follow my work on Facebook: www.facebook.com/melissa.groo on Instagram: @melissagroo -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
