Image of bobolink

Local Farmers Committed to Bobolink Conservation

The partnership between ALUS and Island Nature Trust has been one that has created a wonderful foundation for farmland bird conservation across Prince Edward Island. Local farmers are proving their commitment to wildlife by providing nesting habitat for multiple grassland species, including bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), a species at risk.

Bobolink were listed as threatened under the Species at Risk Act in 2017, with one of their largest threats on PEI being nest destruction due to the early harvest of hay. By delaying hay harvest and grazing, until after July 15th, local farmers provide bobolink (and other species) the habitat they need to reproduce and increase their chance at successfully fledging their young.

This past 2024 season, we have seen tremendous interest and local support of the program and had 57 landowners across the Island enroll parcels of land into the delayed hay program (both voluntarily and incentivized through ALUS). This equated to over 1,800 acres of farmland being enrolled. Island Nature Trust was able to conduct surveys at each site and over 500 adult bobolink were observed utilizing these fields! On PEI these birds rely on agricultural grasslands to breed and fledge their young, so having this community committed to their conservation is critical for their success.

Thanks to everyone for the support this past season. I look forward to what 2025 has in store and hope we can expand our reach and provide more habitat for this charismatic species. I live in rural PEI with my husband and two young children and hearing the bobolink’s bubbly call first thing in the morning is certainly a highlight of our spring and summer. I hope through this important work, their call can reach as many people as possible.

Image of Kayle Laverty - Farmland Birds Coordinator

Kayle Laverty
Farmland Birds Coordinator

If you would like to know more about bobolink and the delayed hay conservation effort, please reach out to me at landbirds@islandnaturetrust.ca.

To find out more about the ALUS programming check them out here!

This work would not be possible without the Species at Risk Partnership on Agricultural Lands (ECCC) and Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Program.

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