Re: [cayugabirds-l] Fields being mowed.
Hey everyone, I am excited by the passion and energy that folks are demonstrating through this discussion. As chair of the Cayuga Bird Club's Conservation Action Committee, I am calling for volunteers who want to help out to please send me an email at jodye...@gmail.com and we'll continue this discussion and chart actions off of the main listserv. Initial tasks include sleuthing online to identify existing resources (some of which already have been linked on the listserv), and identifying additional key players in Cornell's sustainability initiatives who we can ioop in. Further, as many of you know, the Cayuga Bird Club is working hard to engage local youth groups to establish connections with communities in Latin America with who share (and try to protect) some of the same migratory species that use the forested areas we are improving. We can do the same with communities who share these grassland bird species of interest. Please let me know if you want to be involved in that. Thanks Jody Enck Jody W. Enck, PhD Conservation Social Scientist, and Founder of the Sister Bird Club Network 607-379-5940 On Tue, Jun 15, 2021 at 11:33 PM Kenneth V. Rosenberg wrote: > Hi everyone, > > > > Having fueled some of the passion about hay-cutting and grassland bird > conservation, I wanted to clarify a few points. Thanks to the many who > provided resources and links to additional information. I am not an expert > on farming or legal issues, but I can provide a bit more perspective on the > grassland bird issues. What is happening today has happened for decades and > is standard agricultural practice over most of the eastern U.S. The > challenges are complex, both for the farmers and those interested in > conservation. > > > > Most importantly, it is not fair or correct to blame the local farmers, or > even those at Cornell trying to manage the hayfields along Freese and > Hanshaw Roads – these are indeed hayfields, grown for the horses at the > Equine Research Lab, and the growers are under the same constraints > regarding timing and nutritional value of the hay (the horses won’t eat it > if it’s mowed too late). Individual farmers trying to eek out a living and > keep their farms in production cannot be expected to sacrifice economically > for the sake of birds or other wildlife – a common resource for us all. > This is the fundamental problem. > > > > The solutions, therefore, need to come at the societal and policy levels. > If more of society puts greater value on birds and other nature, then this > can become part of the economic structure that supports both agriculture > and biodiversity conservation. Much easier said than done! There is a > complicated array of Farm Bill and other incentive programs that encourage > farmers to create or set aside wildlife habitat, but these programs are > obscure to most farmers – including the program managers at Cornell we met > with last year. Here is a link to a guide that was just released about the > latest Farm Bill programs: > https://nabci-us.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2018-2023-Farm-Bill-Guide-FINAL-LOW-RES-052621.pdf > > > > As Geo and others point out, the bird part is pretty well known and > several good resources exist – the timing of breeding, safe dates for > mowing, field size requirements for each species, preferred grass types, > etc. The economic side is much more difficult, with pressures to produce > on every acre and less and less room for nature in the agricultural matrix. > And as Geo stated, without viable farming there would be no “grassland” or > grassland birds in the Northeast. (the lost potential for managing > state-owned lands for these disappearing species has also been noted). > > > > As for our local situation with the Cornell University fields, I was not > quite correct to say earlier that the managers of these particular fields > were not interested in conservation options – but they did not have the > option to make those decisions and could not afford to make short-term > changes in their management. This is where our local bird community can > help – both in terms of providing specific information on the birds and > guidelines for mowing, etc., but more importantly, to let the university > and town leaders know that we value the birds and the habitats on these > lands. As a land-grant university, and with the lead by-line on the > *Science* article documenting the loss of 3 billion birds, it is not > unreasonable to ask Cornell to be part of the solution -- finding ways that > ensure agricultural productivity while helping to stem the plummeting > populations of grassland birds. And it would be great for Cornell to model > these solutions on its own extensive farmland. > > > > I hope some of the passion expressed today will have a positive impact. > > > > KEN > > > > > > > > > > Ken Rosenberg (he/him/his) > > Applied Conservation Scientist > > Cornell Lab of Ornithology > > American Bird Conservancy > > Fellow,
[cayugabirds-l] Dead blue jay and starlings disease?
In the space of two hours I found a dead blue jay and starling in my yard. I could tell the starling hadn’t been doing well as it seemed unstable and not moving much on the ground. Then found it dead. I read about the mysterious illness impacting these birds with an epicenter near Washington, D.C. https://www.npr.org/local/305/2021/06/16/1007154493/blue-jays-grackles-other-birds-dying-from-mysterious-ailment I wondered if this is impacting birds in NY? No signs of any injury or cat attack to the birds I found and the starling seemed to have some neurological issues. I buried both before I read about this. They are recommending taking down feeders and removing bird baths (I always keep mine clean) but I don’t want to do this if not necessary. Interested to know what others know/think? Jo Sent from my iPhone -- 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/ --
Fwd: [cayugabirds-l] Fields being mowed.
“If we surrendered to the earth’s intelligence, we could rise up rooted, like trees.” Rainer Maria Rilke Begin forwarded message: > From: Regi Teasley > Date: June 16, 2021 at 10:27:53 AM EDT > To: "Kenneth V. Rosenberg" > Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Fields being mowed. > > Thank you for this. But, please don’t let the passion dissipate. We must > begin to change our priorities and approach to the natural world while we can > still make a difference. Activism matters in the switch from “business as > usual” to truly sustainable practices. > Regi > > > “If we surrendered to the earth’s intelligence, we could rise up rooted, like > trees.” Rainer Maria Rilke > > >>> On Jun 15, 2021, at 11:33 PM, Kenneth V. Rosenberg wrote: >>> >> >> Hi everyone, >> >> Having fueled some of the passion about hay-cutting and grassland bird >> conservation, I wanted to clarify a few points. Thanks to the many who >> provided resources and links to additional information. I am not an expert >> on farming or legal issues, but I can provide a bit more perspective on the >> grassland bird issues. What is happening today has happened for decades and >> is standard agricultural practice over most of the eastern U.S. The >> challenges are complex, both for the farmers and those interested in >> conservation. >> >> Most importantly, it is not fair or correct to blame the local farmers, or >> even those at Cornell trying to manage the hayfields along Freese and >> Hanshaw Roads – these are indeed hayfields, grown for the horses at the >> Equine Research Lab, and the growers are under the same constraints >> regarding timing and nutritional value of the hay (the horses won’t eat it >> if it’s mowed too late). Individual farmers trying to eek out a living and >> keep their farms in production cannot be expected to sacrifice economically >> for the sake of birds or other wildlife – a common resource for us all. This >> is the fundamental problem. >> >> The solutions, therefore, need to come at the societal and policy levels. If >> more of society puts greater value on birds and other nature, then this can >> become part of the economic structure that supports both agriculture and >> biodiversity conservation. Much easier said than done! There is a >> complicated array of Farm Bill and other incentive programs that encourage >> farmers to create or set aside wildlife habitat, but these programs are >> obscure to most farmers – including the program managers at Cornell we met >> with last year. Here is a link to a guide that was just released about the >> latest Farm Bill programs: >> https://nabci-us.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2018-2023-Farm-Bill-Guide-FINAL-LOW-RES-052621.pdf >> >> As Geo and others point out, the bird part is pretty well known and several >> good resources exist – the timing of breeding, safe dates for mowing, field >> size requirements for each species, preferred grass types, etc. The >> economic side is much more difficult, with pressures to produce on every >> acre and less and less room for nature in the agricultural matrix. And as >> Geo stated, without viable farming there would be no “grassland” or >> grassland birds in the Northeast. (the lost potential for managing >> state-owned lands for these disappearing species has also been noted). >> >> As for our local situation with the Cornell University fields, I was not >> quite correct to say earlier that the managers of these particular fields >> were not interested in conservation options – but they did not have the >> option to make those decisions and could not afford to make short-term >> changes in their management. This is where our local bird community can help >> – both in terms of providing specific information on the birds and >> guidelines for mowing, etc., but more importantly, to let the university and >> town leaders know that we value the birds and the habitats on these lands. >> As a land-grant university, and with the lead by-line on the Science article >> documenting the loss of 3 billion birds, it is not unreasonable to ask >> Cornell to be part of the solution -- finding ways that ensure agricultural >> productivity while helping to stem the plummeting populations of grassland >> birds. And it would be great for Cornell to model these solutions on its >> own extensive farmland. >> >> I hope some of the passion expressed today will have a positive impact. >> >> KEN >> >> >> >> >> Ken Rosenberg (he/him/his) >> Applied Conservation Scientist >> Cornell Lab of Ornithology >> American Bird Conservancy >> Fellow, Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future >> k...@cornell.edu >> Wk: 607-254-2412 >> Cell: 607-342-4594 >> >> >> From: bounce-125714597-3493...@list.cornell.edu >> on behalf of Geo Kloppel >> >> Date: Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 9:53 PM >> To: CAYUGABIRDS-L >> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Fields being mowed. >>
[cayugabirds-l] The Bobolink Project
Here’s one model we might consider. This is an important issue and probably needs to be addressed from several angles. We’re not alone in our concern. https://www.bobolinkproject.com/ Regi “If we surrendered to the earth’s intelligence, we could rise up rooted, like trees.” Rainer Maria Rilke -- 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/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] Fields being mowed.
Hi everyone, Very, very well put Ken. It is indeed a significantly tricky balance. My partner and I are organic grain (and hay) farmers in the Ithaca area (~1400 acres, involving numerous large fields), who make our living 100% from farming. We would also consider ourselves bird enthusiasts, and regular birdwatchers, who do our best to be sensitive to environmental and biodiversity issues (part of the reason that we farm organically). Not only that, I own and ride horses. The Venn diagram in this case is profound! But seriously, my point is to stress how well you expressed the various sides of the issue, and directed the passion that people are expressing toward having a positive impact. And that Thor and I are real-life, local farmers trying to do our best in this balancing act and are open to talking with anyone about these issues. We have a lot of experience with conservation programs in the Farm Bill (NRCS and FSA), and would be happy to talk with other farmers (or anyone) about them. You offered some great ways for individuals to have an input. One point that I would like to add to this discussion is the actual price of food. People want food that is inexpensive - and we should all be able to afford good, healthy food!! - but food that is produced in ways that incorporate conservation methods is probably going to cost more. How you shop and where you spend is one way that you can have an impact. So much to say about this. Feel free to get in touch! Appreciative of all the concern, Rachel and Thor From: bounce-125714663-81221...@list.cornell.edu on behalf of Kenneth V. Rosenberg Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2021 11:32 PM To: Geo Kloppel ; CAYUGABIRDS-L Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Fields being mowed. Hi everyone, Having fueled some of the passion about hay-cutting and grassland bird conservation, I wanted to clarify a few points. Thanks to the many who provided resources and links to additional information. I am not an expert on farming or legal issues, but I can provide a bit more perspective on the grassland bird issues. What is happening today has happened for decades and is standard agricultural practice over most of the eastern U.S. The challenges are complex, both for the farmers and those interested in conservation. Most importantly, it is not fair or correct to blame the local farmers, or even those at Cornell trying to manage the hayfields along Freese and Hanshaw Roads – these are indeed hayfields, grown for the horses at the Equine Research Lab, and the growers are under the same constraints regarding timing and nutritional value of the hay (the horses won’t eat it if it’s mowed too late). Individual farmers trying to eek out a living and keep their farms in production cannot be expected to sacrifice economically for the sake of birds or other wildlife – a common resource for us all. This is the fundamental problem. The solutions, therefore, need to come at the societal and policy levels. If more of society puts greater value on birds and other nature, then this can become part of the economic structure that supports both agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Much easier said than done! There is a complicated array of Farm Bill and other incentive programs that encourage farmers to create or set aside wildlife habitat, but these programs are obscure to most farmers – including the program managers at Cornell we met with last year. Here is a link to a guide that was just released about the latest Farm Bill programs: https://nabci-us.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2018-2023-Farm-Bill-Guide-FINAL-LOW-RES-052621.pdf As Geo and others point out, the bird part is pretty well known and several good resources exist – the timing of breeding, safe dates for mowing, field size requirements for each species, preferred grass types, etc. The economic side is much more difficult, with pressures to produce on every acre and less and less room for nature in the agricultural matrix. And as Geo stated, without viable farming there would be no “grassland” or grassland birds in the Northeast. (the lost potential for managing state-owned lands for these disappearing species has also been noted). As for our local situation with the Cornell University fields, I was not quite correct to say earlier that the managers of these particular fields were not interested in conservation options – but they did not have the option to make those decisions and could not afford to make short-term changes in their management. This is where our local bird community can help – both in terms of providing specific information on the birds and guidelines for mowing, etc., but more importantly, to let the university and town leaders know that we value the birds and the habitats on these lands. As a land-grant university, and with the lead by-line on the Science article documenting the loss of 3 billion birds, it is
Re:[cayugabirds-l] hayfield mowing for helping grassland birds
Thanks, Donna. Anne knows about redwing specifics! July 4 just gets on the downside of peak for redwings, who are pretty early returnees. As mentioned bobolinks seem later. I suspect many sparrows go later and renests remain at risk. july 22 would be much safer but a lot harder to get farmers to agree to. It’s a hard trade off. A late July 1st-cutting will probably deny farmers a good second cutting that many take around here. And of course early cutting < May 14 in an unusual year of early growth would take out early nests and leave avian-everyone with no structure to nest in just when they are ready to do so. What happens to all these dates with climate change is anyone’s guess! Everything—different nesting species, different crops including different grasses—does not just move earlier. It is a wicked problem. Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 15, 2021, at 7:10 PM, Donna Lee Scott wrote: > > > Dear Bird Colleagues: > > Attached is Cornell Cooperative Extension publication entitled > “Hayfield Management and Grassland Bird Conservation” > By Jim Ochterski, Jan. 2006. ja...@cornell.edu > > Has a calendar to show farmers when not to mow to protect grass nesting > birds: May 14 to July 22. Much later than date July 4th that Anne Clark > suggested. > But Anne probably knows more about bird specifics than the author does. > > It discusses effects of later hay cutting on nutritional quality of the hay. > “Delaying the cutting a week or two to allow for grassland birds to fledge > will usually lead to hay that is essentially overmature, but potentially > useful.” > Goes on after that… > > > Re Patrizia’s post: > Cooperative Extension’s “Good Agricultural Practices” doesn’t have anything > to do with protecting birds and wildlife. > Some good farm practices involve not polluting waterways with barnyard manure > run off, etc.. > The Good Ag Practices program begun in the late 1990s in my (former) > department of Food Science in the Ag School had to do with not contaminating > human food crops with human and animal waste, etc. > > Mowing times are based on when the hay is best nutritionally, not on cutting > off weed seed heads. > > Best regards, > Donna Scott > > Donna L. Scott > Senior Extension Associate, retired > Dept. of Food Science > CALS, Cornell University > > 535 Lansing Station Road > Lansing, NY 14882 > d...@cornell.edu > > -- 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/ --
