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The need for additional areas where ground-nesting birds have the opportunity to raise young has led to examining the mowing practices of highway departments, state, county, and town. Where possible, adjusting the mowing schedule to after the end of August gives fledglings a chance. Generally, the town highway superintendents we've spoken to have been knowledgeable. Paul Karsten, Town of Wilson, for example, was already aware of this need. In Wilson, the late mowing of miles of large drainage ditches away from roads and the mowing maintenance of a capped landfill contributes about 140 acres to nesting habitat. How you can help: Inquire about mowing schedules in your locale. Notice large areas that are mowed regularly, sometimes every two weeks or so, out of of habit, for "appearance," and using information about ground-nesting birds, try to persuade those in charge of cutting to adjust the schedule. We've become conditioned to think that grass an inch high is beautiful, but the real beauty is in the stretches of long, graceful grasses swaying in the wind, in wildflowers, in knowing a field, a grassland, is providing a place for new life. Let us know about your attempts. We'd like to congratulate you here if you succeed, and welcome the new area to frontier wildlife habitat.
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