Project Bobolink: Grassland Bird Conservation at Heaven Hill Farm 2022
Adirondack Watershed Institute
Grasslands in North America have experienced the biggest landbird declines in any habitat and the bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) is considered a Tipping Point species, one of a group of birds which have lost half or more of their populations in 50 years and are on a trajectory to lose another half in the next 50 (North American Bird Conservation Initiative 2022). Although the Adirondack Park is far outside of the historical core grasslands in North America, the plight of this and other grassland specialist species argues for the value of conservation actions aimed at their protection, at all scales and locations. The Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) has worked with the Henry Uihlein II and Mildred A. Uihlein Foundation since 2019 to address concerns related to grassland birds breeding at Heaven Hill and Uihlein Farm. This report describes our activities and findings during the 2022 season and provides recommendations for future work.