Nesting dates for ground nesting birds?

[pgmrdan]

Simple question but I'm having no luck finding an answer.

I'm looking for the window of time to avoid mowing my fields so as not to disturb ground nesting birds. I've tried 3 state departments/agencies and the biology department at a major midwestern university with no luck but the university person is contacting biology faculty for an answer. I would think this should be an often asked and answered question but nobody knows?!?!?! They all think it's a great question but ???

Anyone have any ideas on where to look?

 

[RCW]

Obviously will vary by location.

First thought was contact your state's wildlife department.

In New York, dams are supposed to be mowed annually after July 15 to prevent woody plant establishment.

Since both dams and wildlife are regulated by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, I assume they take into account nesting season(s).

 

[imnukensc]

Assuming you're in the mid west somewhere since those are the agencies you say you've contacted, I can confidently tell you there are no ground nesting birds with active nests in the mid west at this time of year.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Simple question but I'm having no luck finding an answer.

I'm looking for the window of time to avoid mowing my fields so as not to disturb ground nesting birds. I've tried 3 state departments/agencies and the biology department at a major midwestern university with no luck but the university person is contacting biology faculty for an answer. I would think this should be an often asked and answered question but nobody knows?!?!?! They all think it's a great question but ???

Anyone have any ideas on where to look?

Good day.

Check with your Pheasants Forever or Quail Forever reps.

Here is the best resource I have come across for birds / nesting info for specific speacies. (Don’t worry about the title just change the species once there to whatever you are looking for.)

Eastern Screech-Owl - NestWatch

Right Bird, Right House Eastern Screech-Owl Change species: American KestrelAmerican RobinAsh-throated FlycatcherBarn OwlBarn SwallowBarred OwlBarrow’s GoldeneyeBewick’s WrenBlack-capped ChickadeeBlack-crested TitmouseBoreal ChickadeeBoreal OwlBridled TitmouseBrown-crested FlycatcherBrown-headed...

nestwatch.org

 

[chim]

Does anyone else see the thread title and want to read the OP's name as ptarmigan?

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Simple question but I'm having no luck finding an answer.

I'm looking for the window of time to avoid mowing my fields so as not to disturb ground nesting birds. I've tried 3 state departments/agencies and the biology department at a major midwestern university with no luck but the university person is contacting biology faculty for an answer. I would think this should be an often asked and answered question but nobody knows?!?!?! They all think it's a great question but ???

Anyone have any ideas on where to look?

No help. Whippoorwills and Chuck Will's Widows nest on the ground, but in treed areas where you wouldn't be mowing. We haven't had quail around here in years, but I seem to remember them nesting in the spring. Dad and I hit a nest disking a hay field when I was young. He was pretty upset, since he liked to bird hunt.

 

[RCW]

It’s surprising how early many bird species nest. Young ones are fledgling pretty early depending on species.

Raptors in our area are February or so.

Many songbirds are May.

I think turkey and Canada geese are similar.

 

[mcfarmall]

Killdeer

 

[imnukensc]

Killdeer

Not at this time of year.

 

[old and tired]

I was told by my wife! I'm sure she read it somewhere... Mow the fields in Feb. (pretty sure Jan. fine too) this is for Southwestern Virginia. Since you listed USA as your location... it's impossible to say exactly for the whole USA!!!

 

[armylifer]

We have killdeer in the spring but the quail are nesting all through the summer.

 

[Moose7060]

All summer long I have to watch out for Crane and Heron nests. In addition, if the grass gets too tall, a real sharp eye is needed for fawns bedded down May through July.