
Our Grassland Bird Initiative volunteer teams monitored several central MA locations this summer. Bill & Carol Platenik made dedicated weekly visits to Moore State Park in Paxton, where a bird-friendly mowing regime has been established. Todd& Alice Livdahl and Wendy Howes observed at Mt. Jefferson Conservation Area in Hubbardston which used to (and may still) designate one field for mowing after July 4th. At DCR Ware River Watershed Prison Camp fields in Rutland, with a current mowing contract stipulating mowing after August 1st, Doug Wipf and Linda Mueller made regular visits throughout the nesting season. We are still looking for volunteers to monitor High Ridge WMA in Gardner/Westminster. Bobolinks nested there successfully this year, but no one was able to formally monitor. The WMA has established late mowing--after August 1st--regimes for all the fields, so prospects for grassland bird species are very good there.
Volunteer Ted Purcell observed a town-owned field at Glenwood School in Rutland and found many Bobolinks early in the season, but the fields are part of the Town's mowing contract and are not currently being managed for wildlife and grassland birds.
Photographer Anne Greene of Rutland found Bobolinks at fields owned by Alta Vista Farm in Rutland and gave the owners information about grassland birds available through Mass Audubon: https://www.massaudubon.org/our-conservation-work/wildlife-research-conservation/grassland-bird-program
Overall it was a good year for Bobolinks in both protected and non-protected areas. High amount of rainfall caused some haying delays which benefited birds. Heat and humidity helped insect populations and therefore boosted Bobolinks' food supply. The highest number of Bobolinks were encountered at Moore State Park, where a huge flock of over 130 birds--including adults and this season's fledglings--was seen in mid-August.
Thanks to all who pitched in on behalf of grassland birds!
Volunteer Ted Purcell observed a town-owned field at Glenwood School in Rutland and found many Bobolinks early in the season, but the fields are part of the Town's mowing contract and are not currently being managed for wildlife and grassland birds.
Photographer Anne Greene of Rutland found Bobolinks at fields owned by Alta Vista Farm in Rutland and gave the owners information about grassland birds available through Mass Audubon: https://www.massaudubon.org/our-conservation-work/wildlife-research-conservation/grassland-bird-program
Overall it was a good year for Bobolinks in both protected and non-protected areas. High amount of rainfall caused some haying delays which benefited birds. Heat and humidity helped insect populations and therefore boosted Bobolinks' food supply. The highest number of Bobolinks were encountered at Moore State Park, where a huge flock of over 130 birds--including adults and this season's fledglings--was seen in mid-August.
Thanks to all who pitched in on behalf of grassland birds!