MONTEZUMA'S GRASSLANDS


Next to the Montezuma NWR and behind the Montezuma Winery, east of Route 89, you'll find one of the largest managed grasslands in New York state. It was planted with support from the Friends and is a small part of an impressive effort underway across the state - the NY Grassland Bird Initiative.

Orchardgrass

Why grasslands? Because grasslands birds are declining much faster than birds associated with any other habitat type. Data from the Breeding Bird Survey show these significant declines. Some of the most serious include a 99% decline in Henslow's Sparrows, over 95% of Grasshopper and Vesper Sparrows, and nearly 85% of Eastern Meadowlarks since the start of the survey in 1966. The Bobolink, probably the easiest grassland bird to locate in New York State, has declined by nearly 60%.

As agriculture has declined, thousands of acres of habitat are slowly reverting back to forest. In addition, the remaining agriculture has become mechanized and modernized, with early and repeated mowings of hay that do not allow enough time for the birds to successfully raise young.

Recognizing the many threats to the remaining populations of grasslands birds, Audubon New York has brought together a consortium of the groups and agencies devoted to conservation in NY. They are using the broad expertise of this group to develop a comprehensive grassland bird conservation plan. By coordinating the efforts and resources available to these groups, they will be able to work more effectively than they would alone.

Many of the partners have already begun habitat projects on public land, including the work done both on the Refuge, as well as at several locations on DEC property with the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. So, the next time you drive by to admire the grasslands planted with support from the Friends, you can also appreciate the role we are playing in a larger effort to conserve a unique type of wildlife.

Michael Morgan/Winter 2005 Cattails