06/06/2026
Help protect grassland birds this summer!
Grassland bird populations are facing the steepest decline of any bird group in North America. It’s been shown that agricultural and lawn care practices directly affect the success of ground-nesting species like bobwhites, ring-necked pheasants, Eastern meadowlarks, and loggerhead shrikes. Luckily, the following small changes can be made to help protect those nests in the summer months:
• Raise mower blades to 8 inches or higher
• Delay haying until mid‑July (peak nesting is Apr 1–Aug 1)
• Leave unmowed strips, blocks, and/or corridors of high vegetation for their safe travel. Mow from the inside out so wildlife can escape.
• Add a flushing bar. This is a simple device added to a tractor that pushes birds (and fawns) out of an area being mowed.
These beloved bird species depend on grasslands to nest and rear their young. This is why Indiana DNR strives to protect grassland habitats through the Grassland for Gamebirds and Songbirds initiative. We hope you’ll join the efforts! Learn more here: https://ow.ly/MtiP50Z7ool
Photo by Justin Hill
