[mou] When to cut hay

[Laura Erickson]

I've been doing research for my book and my radio program about when the 
best time is to cut hay if there are bobolinks, meadowlarks, and other 
grassland birds on the hayfield. (Well--they're on, or SHOULD be on, EVERY 
hayfield, but...)  Marge Gibson, bird rehabber extraordinaire, sent me some 
suggestions.  If anyone has anything to add, I've posted what I have on my 
blog today.

<http://www.birderblog.com/index.php?v=06-24-05#06-24-05_074708.txt>

I'd appreciate any additional information.  Meanwhile, if you have a 
hayfield, or friends or relatives with one, encourage them to WAIT until 
baby songbirds have fledged if at all possible.



Laura Erickson
Duluth, MN


www.birderblog.com

There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of 
birds.  There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of 
nature--the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter.

                                 --Rachel Carson