Nesting and Agricultural Advances

[Axeman]

My wife was talking to a local farmer the other day and the conversation turned to the harvesting of feed crops. My wife had commented that he must be in the middle of harvesting hay and he replied that he never harvested his hay before July 21st and this used to be the magical day for harvesting hay. With the ongoing advances in biotech, the crops are being harvested earlier and earlier, allowing multiple harvests in the season. He went on, saying birds like bobolinks nested in the hayfields and the evolved mating culture of these birds was that they were still nesting in these fields while the advanced feed crops were being harvested.

The result being that a great many nests are being lost during the harvest and this is impacting populations in areas that produce feed crops.

I'm wondering if anyone has a comment or input.

                                    :?:

[Brian Bailey]

Yes.  Actually it's the cover story of the latest Ontario Nature magazine.  The major challenge they face in the northern hemisphere is nest destruction from haying.  Apparently hay is typically cut 2 to 3 weeks earlier now than it was 50 years ago.  Just enough earlier that the young Bobolinks aren't fledged or maybe not even hatched.

I rarely see them anymore, but I remember when they were common in southern Ontario.  :cry:

BB

[RKD]

So sad!!!

[Whittam]

Yes,  I've noticed this in the fields we monitor east of Washago Ontario.  The haying affects the bobolinks and meadowlarks who both seem to disappear entirely after the harvest.  Savannah  sparrows and bluebirds seem to nest along the fence lines so they do better.  Cheers Terry