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USGS · 70035934

Short-Term responses of breeding birds of grassland and early successional habitat to timing of haying in Northwestern Arkansas

J.D. Luscier·W.L. Thompson
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Abstract

In 2003, we evaluated nest survival and density of the Dickcissel (Spiza americana), Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), and Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) in four unhayed, two early-hayed (26-31 May) and three late-hayed (17-25 June) fields in northwestern Arkansas. Rope dragging and observations revealed 89 nests. Daily nest-survival rates (SE) prior to haying ranged from 0.94 (0.03) to 0.97 (0.02). Early haying affected both nest-survival rates and bird densities negatively, whereas late haying had minimal effects. Fifteen nests in hayed portions of early-hayed fields were destroyed, whereas only 2 of 52 nests were affected by late haying. Density was at least 0.98 birds ha -1 higher in unhayed than in early-hayed fields and 1.03 birds ha -1 higher in late-hayed than in early-hayed fields. In northwestern Arkansas, postponing haying until mid- to late June would allow time for nestlings to fledge, would have little effect on bird densities, and would affect hay nutrition and regrowth minimally. ?? The Cooper Ornithological Society, 2009.

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J.D. Luscier, W.L. Thompson. 2009. Short-Term responses of breeding birds of grassland and early successional habitat to timing of haying in Northwestern Arkansas. https://doi.org/10.1525/cond.2009.080019

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