The NYDEC and Cornell Cooperative Extension documents that were mentioned seem to be oriented toward management for grassland wildlife, so they say that no cutting should take place between late April and mid August. That's fine if you're managing a nature preserve, but it's probably not practical for people in the business of making hay, like the one Michael was talking to at Winter Market. Farmers who want guidance about reducing the negative impact of their hay making operations on grassland birds need a scheme that recognizes the contingencies of avian breeding and the economic constraints of farming.
-Geo -- 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/ --