WRDS Research Team
- Joe Nocera, Research Scientist (Species-at-Risk)
- Lucy Brown, Biologist
Project Objectives/Overview
The populations of several grassland bird species have declined dramatically in Ontario, such as the bobolink and eastern meadowlark (both designated as threatened). Throughout their range, these species inhabit agricultural grasslands due to a lack of their historic prairie habitat. Recent technological advances have intensified agricultural activity and increased harvest; mowing of hayfields has become increasingly early and now overlaps with the nesting period of these species. We are investigating (a) whether the overlap between mowing and nesting periods is similar throughout the province, or varies geographically, (b) the effectiveness of experimentally manipulated hay harvest dates (occurring before or after peak nesting), and (c) what types of crops host which assemblages of bird species.
Collaborators and Participants
- Kristen Diemer, Trent University
- Sarah McGuire, Trent University
Funding Partners
- NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council)
- Ontario Graduate Scholarships
- MNR Applied Research and Development Branch
- Trent University
Interesting Facts! Bobolinks have the longest migration of any species of small landbird in the world and a eastern meadowlark, closely related to bobolinks, call is a melancholy flute-like whistle.
