How to sustain meadow passerine populations in Europe through alternative mowing management

Species Traits Drive Long-Term Population Trends of Common Breeding Birds in Northern Italy

“…Causes can be linked to both changes in agricultural practices as well as cattle farming [ 115 ]. The Western Yellow Wagtail, which in Lombardy is associated to farmlands, may have suffered from the intensification and changes in agricultural practices, in particular from loss of late mown areas [ 116 ]. The Italian Sparrow, in agricultural breeding areas, could be negatively affected by the progressive shift of cereal cultivations from wheat to maize, other than changes in livestock farming practices [ 117 ].…”

Is Hay for the Birds? Investigating Landowner Willingness to Time Hay Harvests for Grassland Bird Conservation

“…The current timing of haying (July–August) in the Nebraska Sandhills occurs after peak western meadowlark initial nesting frequency during early to mid-May, allowing sufficient time (~50 days) for juveniles fledged from initial nests to fly well enough to avoid destruction by haying operations [ 91 , 92 ]. During this period of harvest, many grassland bird species are also incubating or nesting [ 18 , 20 , 48 ]. This timing is favorable to “early bird” nesting success (first attempts of early nesting birds), but further delaying hay harvests would allow for additional nesting attempts and time for nestlings and fledglings to develop mobility [ 92 ], further increasing nest success and juvenile survival of more individuals and species.…”

“…In addition, game birds in this region, including sharp-tailed grouse ( Tympanuchus phasianellus ), have active nests through at least late June [ 94 ], and greater prairie-chickens have active nests through at least early July [ 95 ]. All of these species, as well as others that have not been studied in this region, would likely benefit from delayed haying until at least 15 July, as recommended in numerous studies of grassland bird nesting success, as nests and young fledgling do not survive haying operations [ 15 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

“…In grasslands and meadows used for hay production, harvesting hay during the bird breeding season destroys nests and causes the mortality of incubating females, which has contributed to grassland bird population declines [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. By contrast, timing hay harvests to occur outside the main bird breeding season delivers measurable benefits for both songbird and game bird conservation [ 15 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Waiting until mid-July or later to mow fields allows breeding birds to complete at least one nesting cycle [ 27 ] and delivers measurable improvements in bird and nest densities, nest success and recruitment, and annual return rates for both songbirds and game birds [ 24 , 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”

“…In the Nebraska Sandhills, harvest in late June results in higher quality hay, but is often not possible because of wet or inundated soil, while hay harvested in the latter portion of the season is low in forage quality and may not provide enough nutrient content for spring-calving cows [ 47 ]. During this period (late June), many grassland bird species are also nesting, incubating eggs, and raising chicks [ 18 , 20 , 48 ].…”