http://www.bto.org/kestrels-shortcut-to-prey?dm_i=IG4,DVTI,39H987,13PEE,1
Could something so simple as cutting the grass be of so much benefit to kestrels and help reverse their decline?
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Wow that's interesting. My garden should be good becaues my landlord is OBSESSED with mowing! LOL
'Dip a dee dah, dip a dee ay, we're not seeing any birds to-day...'
KatTai said: http://www.bto.org/kestrels-shortcut-to-prey?dm_i=IG4,DVTI,39H987,13PEE,1 Could something so simple as cutting the grass be of so much benefit to kestrels and help reverse their decline?
Well well well would you believe it after years of blaming farmers for not leaving long grass Kat brings up the fact that farmers were helping Kestrels by keeping grass short.
Kat you are a angel,best wishes
michael s said: http://www.bto.org/kestrels-shortcut-to-prey?dm_i=IG4,DVTI,39H987,13PEE,1 Could something so simple as cutting the grass be of so much benefit to kestrels and help reverse their decline?
[/quote]
lol the article does say long grass will be beneficial too, but looks like they may have to rework the agri-environment schemes to accomodate kestrels need for short grass! This is a very interesting finding though, and come to think of it the kestrels appeared around here right after the crops had been cut but the spiky grass was left! Co-incidence? I think the main thing is though, one method doesn't suit everything a mixture of grass lengths will be of best benefit to animals and of course plants which grow at different heights. I think too much is put into one idea,. such as long grass = best, when for many species, such as low growing plants and now kestrels, it is a distaster. But if this study is correct in that kestrels need short grass, it does move the blame away from intensification of agriculture (though I do think this is a problem in some areas) to an agri-environment sheme that has had a negative effect on kestrels.
A decently short sward benefits other wildlife too depending on the circumstances. Choughs insist on closely cropped turf so the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park authority employ Welsh mountain ponies as part of their clifftop land management regime.
Rabbit grazing produces a short sward too so even this lowly creature has a role in conserving biodiversity. Moderate Rabbit grazing can be highly beneficial in creating a complex ecosystem.
JBNTS
Every day a little more irate about bird of prey persecution, and I have a cat - Got a problem with that?
Conservation is such a complex business, isn't it? Anything that helps these wonderful birds has got to be a good thing. There are all sorts of creatures and plants that benefit from grazing, the same is true of grass that's allowed to flower and seed, insects, so important in the food chain benefit from flowering grasses for example. The ideal is a mixture I suppose, as KatTai suggests.
Hi Kat a perfect summary as usual and when farming even while we were still cutting the grass in that field the Kestrels and Buzzards would take advantage of the fact that we had obviously disturbed Voles and Mice I would think.
Does this mean we cannot use the excuse of leaving the grass long for wildlife any more?
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Wendy S said: Does this mean we cannot use the excuse of leaving the grass long for wildlife any more?
No long grass can be left, just need some short grass to go with it! lol