Study

Unmown refuge areas and their influence on the survival of grassland birds in the Saône valley (France)

  • Published source details Broyer J. (2003) Unmown refuge areas and their influence on the survival of grassland birds in the Saône valley (France). Biodiversity and Conservation, 12, 1219-1237.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Provide refuges during harvest or mowing

Action Link
Farmland Conservation

Leave refuges in fields during harvest

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Provide refuges during harvest or mowing

    A replicated study in 1996-1997 in 62 hay fields in Bourgogne, France (Broyer 2003) found that contact between mowing machinery and unfledged quail Cortunix cortunix and corncrakes Crex crex was reduced by approximately 50% and 33% respectively, by leaving 10 m-wide, uncut strips in the centre of fields. In addition, unmowed strips had the highest concentrations of corncrakes, quails and passerines (7.7 birds/ha, 3.8 birds/ha and 10.8 birds/ha respectively in 1996). All refuge areas were mown within the first 10 days of August using the ‘outside-in’ method. During mowing, observers with binoculars recorded birds in the refuge areas.

     

  2. Leave refuges in fields during harvest

    A replicated study in 1996-7 in 62 hay fields in Bourgogne, France (Broyer 2003), found that contact between mowing machinery and unfledged common quail Coturnix coturnix and corncrake Crex crex was reduced by approximately 50% and 33% respectively, by leaving 10 m wide, uncut strips in the centre of fields. In addition, unmowed strips held the highest concentrations of corncrakes, quails and passerines (7.7 birds/ha, 3.8 birds/ha and 10.8 birds/ha respectively in 1996).

     

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