Sustainable Agriculture Research
Effects of Rotational Grazing and Landuse on Birds of Intermittant Waterways

Objectives

Bird use and nesting success of birds in and near intermittent waterways will be examined and habitat use by resident birds will be detailed. Results on bird use and nest success will be related to surrounding land use.

Background

A question has arisen if grazing intermittent waterways is an ecological sound management practice. Grassland birds often use intermittent waterways as nesting and foraging sites. Previous work (Howe et al. 1996) found that adjacent land use strongly affects the types of birds which use intermittent waterways. Information is needed on the bird use of intermittent waterways as it relates to grazing management and surrounding land use.

Recommendations will be developed for management of intermittent waterways based on the results of this study. These recommendations will provide scientifically defensible information about the effects of different land use options on breeding birds. Results will also identify strategies for maximizing breeding bird habitat in eastern Wisconsin farmland.

For more information on this topic please contact:
Gerald Bartelt (608)221-6344