Background Sources and ongoing projects

Natural Resources Conservation Program Maryland (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/md/home/) Incentives to adjust mowing schedules to benefit grassland birds are available from the EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program).

Atwood, J. et al, “Best Management Practices for Nesting Grassland Birds”, 2017, Mass Audubon, Lincoln, Massachusetts. https://www.massaudubon.org/our-conservation-work/wildlife-research-conservation/bird-conservation-monitoring/grassland-birds. This is a clear and concise pamphlet for managers of public lands that uses illustrations of different farm management techniques to minimize the disturbance of nesting grassland species in New England.

Cornell University Cooperative Extension, “Enhancing Pastures for Grassland Bird Habitat”, Prepared by Jim Ochterski, January 2005. While this monograph focuses on pasture rather than hayfield management in New York, many of its recommendations apply to bird-friendly hayfield management on any farm in the Eastern states.

Cornell University Cooperative Extension, “Hayfield Management and Grassland Bird Conservation”, Prepared by Jim Ochterski, January 2006. New York focus on strategies to align farmer needs with the needs of grassland birds.

Ellison, W.G., ed., 2d Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Maryland and the District of Columbia, The Maryland Ornithological Society and The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2010. pp 384-85 (Grasshopper Sparrow), 416-17 (Eastern Meadowlark).

Gruntorad, M.P. et al, “Is Hay for the Birds? Investigating Landowner Willingness to Time Hay Harvests for Grassland Bird Conservation”, article in Animals, 5 April 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11041030. Survey of landowners in the Great Plains found that a majority (60%) of respondents expressed willingness to delay harvesting hay to allow birds time to nest successfully.”

Hull, S.D. 2000 (revised 2002). “Effects of Management Practices on Grassland Birds: Eastern Meadowlark”, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND. 35 pp. Downloadable at https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/empgb/. A useful synthesis of literature up to 2002, but with a strong regional focus on the Midwest and Dakotas.

Iliff, M.J., Ringler, R.F., and Stasz, J.L., Field List of the Birds of Maryland, Maryland Ornithological Society, Third Edition, 1996, downloadable at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/119538#/summary

Perlut, N., “Management Considerations for Grassland Birds in Northeastern Haylands and Pasturelands”, NRCS Agricultural Wildlife Conservation Center, June 2010. https://www.bobolinkproject.com/docs/NRCS_Grassland_leaflet.pdf.

An excellent summary of timing strategies to promote grassland bird breeding success in Vermont, including the notable NRCS Vermont adaptation of the EQIP program such that farmers could receive a $135 per acre incentive payment (as of 2010) if the first mowing occurred early and the second mowing occurred no less than 65 days later.

Perlut, N. et al, “A Model for Integrating Wildlife Science and Agri-Environmental Policy in the Conservation of Declining Species”, The Journal of Wildlife Management 75(7):1657-1663, 2011. https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jwmg.199. Detailed description of the innovative use of EQIP by the NRCS in Vermont to demonstrate the beneficial impact of early mowing followed by a 65-day delay to second mowing. Bobolink reproductive rates improved from 0.0 to 2.8 fledglings per female per year.

Peterjohn, B. May 2006. “Conceptual Ecological Model for Management of Breeding Grassland Birds in the Mid-Atlantic Region”. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR--2006/005. National Park Service. Philadelphia, PA. 56 pp. This is a thorough and informative review of management strategies for publicly-owned land with grasslands suitable for grassland birds.

Robbins, C.S, ed., and Blom, E.A.T., “Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Maryland and the District of Columbia”, University of Pittsburgh Press, 1996. pp 398-99 (Grasshopper Sparrow), 416-17 (Eastern Meadowlark).

Strong, A. and Perlut, N., “Delay Hay Cuttings to Allow Birds to Successfully Fledge Young”, NRCS Agricultural Wildlife Conservation Center, https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs143_010033.pdf. A summary of the impact of hay cutting timing on the breeding success of Savannah Sparrows and Bobolinks in Vermont.

Virginia Working Landscapes, “Field Management Guidelines for Virginia’s Grassland and Shrubland Birds”, https://www.vaworkinglandscapes.org/. A clearly-presented guide intended for landowners who are interested in helping grassland birds and have some flexibility in their management approaches. “Even just choosing to implement one of the practices listed below can have a positive impact.”