WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
GIVE
  • About
    • HOW WE WORK
    • WHERE WE WORK
    • DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT
    • OUR STAFF AND TRUSTEES
    • OUR NATURE PRESERVES
      • Future Preserve Coming Soon!
    • RUSHTON CONSERVATION CENTER
    • JOBS & INTERNSHIPS
    • STRATEGIC PLAN
    • FAQs
  • LATEST
    • BLOG
    • PUBLICATIONS
    • IN THE NEWS
    • PHOTOS
  • PROGRAMS
    • BIRD CONSERVATION
    • COMMUNITY FARM
    • EDUCATION
    • LAND PROTECTION
    • STEWARDSHIP
      • TRAILS
    • WATERSHED PROTECTION
  • EVENTS
    • EVENT CALENDAR
    • BARNS & BBQ
    • RUN-A-MUCK
    • WILDFLOWER WEEK
    • PLASTIC FREE JULY
    • RUSHTON NATURE KEEPERS (RNK)
  • Support
    • WAYS TO GIVE
    • SPONSOR THE TRUST
    • CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
    • JOIN THE SYCAMORE SOCIETY
    • LEGACY SOCIETY & PLANNED GIVING
    • VOLUNTEER
  • FUTURE PRESERVE
    • ABOUT
    • DONATE TO OUR FUTURE PRESERVE

THE GRASSLAND BIRD COLLABORATION

Grassland Bird Logo_with WCT website
Picture3
Picture2
Picture5

WHY IS THE GRASSLAND BIRD COLLABORATION SO IMPORTANT?

Grassland Birds are experiencing the largest landbird declines of any habitat group.
Scientists estimate populations of many bird species are just half of what they were in 1970. Two-thirds of grassland birds have experienced population declines, and one-quarter of these species, including the beloved Bobolink, are Tipping Point Species. From 1970 to 2019, Tipping Point species have experienced population losses of 50%, and, in the next 50 years, they are on track to lose another 50%.

The good news is losses of these birds can be reversed.
Locally, we can help these birds before they are endangered through voluntary cooperation powered by partnerships among landowners, farmers, and conservation organizations.

The Grassland Bird Collaboration (GBC)
The GBC program endeavors to work collaboratively with our partners to support grassland
bird populations and ensure their survival.

Resources

Buck and Doe Trust Newsletter
2021 Bobolink Summary
Grassland Bird Collaboration Grassland Birds

Our goal is to create a grassland bird conservation area made up of working landscapes and existing nature preserves in southern Chester County’s preservation greenbelt. These lands will serve as a focal area for conservation efforts where partners work together to address the issues affecting declining grassland species while appreciating and promoting the economic and aesthetic values of the agricultural lands in the conservation area.

Success can only be achieved through collaboration. The GBC was established to conduct outreach to understand agricultural and economic factors related to grassland management and provide guidance for management based on grassland species’ needs. The GBC’s recommendations are developed from research on breeding and movement within different field management areas.

Picture1

Local Research and Key Findings
We have been researching grassland bird species in the greater Doe Run area for nearly a decade. We have learned about their habitat needs and where they are most likely to occur across the landscape. And, with the assistance of Motus nanotags, we have learned about the birds’ movement patterns and their use of individual fields within the landscape.

We now know birds are not stationary during breeding. This movement is an indication of the connectivity of the landscape. Individual fields provide resources at different times. Some fields are vital breeding areas; while other fields may provide important foraging areas or “staging” areas in preparation for migration. 

Because grassland birds occupy fields based on a range of habitat needs, the landscape can be viewed as a mosaic, providing for a variety of needs and outcomes. This approach allows for flexibility in managing the landscape. For example, birds react differently to mowing. When mowing occurs by late May, Eastern Meadowlarks and Grasshopper Sparrows can return to a field and breed; whereas, Bobolinks need fields to remain undisturbed until after breeding. Knowing the composition of species in a field allows mowing schedules to be established based on those species’ needs.

Shifting mowing dates to occur outside of peak breeding activity can increase breeding success among ground-nesting birds. When there are babies and fledglings in a field, a “no mow” period allows young birds to develop in a safe environment before nesting grounds are disturbed. Having more birds successfully emerge from the nesting cycle will, over time, help boost population numbers. 

With these encouraging findings, we have an opportunity to make the Greater Doe Run area a hot spot for grassland bird conservation.

It will take landowners, farmers, and conservation partners working together to demonstrate how steep declines in these species of greatest concern can be reversed.

Grassland Bird Breeding Areas

Map_Predicted Breeding Habitats

 It will take landowners, farmers, and conservation partners working together to demonstrate
how the steep declines in these species of greatest concern can be reversed. 

To Register for a Landowner Site Visit or to get more information, please contact:

Zoe Warner, Grassland Bird Consultant, Willistown Conservation Trust: zmw@wctrust.org

Lisa Kiziuk, Director of Bird Conservation, Willistown Conservation Trust: lkr@wctrust.org

OUR NATURE PRESERVES

Our nature preserves are open to the public 365 days per year from sunrise to sunset, providing natural places that offer peace and respite for all. Willistown Conservation Trust owns and manages three nature preserves in the Willistown area: Ashbridge, Kirkwood and Rushton Woods Preserve. We maintain these lands for the … Learn more about our nature preserves.

Upcoming Events

27 September
Rushton Farm

“Just Show Up” Volunteer Wednesday at Rushton Farm

911 Delchester Rd, Newtown Square, PA

View Detail
28 September
Rushton Woods Preserve & Farm

Fall Bird Banding

911 Delchester Rd, Newtown Square, PA

View Detail
28 September

Stewardship Volunteer Thursday

View Detail
No event found!
Load More

DONATE TODAY!

HELP US SAVE, STUDY, AND SHARE OTHER WAYS TO GIVE If you would like to make a gift of securities, such as stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares, please contact us at 610-353-2562 for instructions. For more information on ways to give, please contact us at development@wctrust.org. … Donate Today

CONTACT

925 Providence Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(610) 353-2562
land@wctrust.org

WHERE WE WORK

The work of the Willistown Conservation Trust is concentrated on 28,000 acres of Willistown Township … read more

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

FAQs

Copyright © 2023 · WCTRUST.ORG