[CT Birds] Fields?

[Sharon Abner]

Since grassland birds are decreasing throughout the country (or so I understand), doesn't it make sense to preserve their habitat anywhere?  

 

Sharon
 
> Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2009 12:51:32 -0400
> From: dennisvz at optonline.net
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Subject: [CT Birds] Fields?
> 
> Hi Folks
> 
> Why are people so concerned about grassland birds in Connecticut?
> 
> Connecticut is part of the eastern deciduous forest where grasslands 
> are an anomaly. Under "natural" conditions they are the result of 
> fire (natural and man made) and flooding (including beaver meadows). 
> When they are created they are subject to succession and have a short 
> life time.
> 
> The only reason fields are in Connecticut now, is as an artifact of 
> past farming. Every species found in our “Grasslands” is far more 
> common elsewhere. It seems to me that we are artificially 
> constructing and maintaining these “Grasslands” to keep token 
> populations for the benefit of bird-watchers.
> 
> A more relevant problem for me is the fragmentation of our woodlands 
> which has been well studied. I have never been to this Cabela Field, 
> but I would guess that it might be better used as a bottom land 
> forest, restoring habitat that is likely rare.
> 
> Dennis Varza
> FairFIELD 
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