You may have noticed that the fields at Gilsland Farm received their annual mowing with the tractor over the past few weeks, but did you know that the fields at Josephine Newman and Mast Landing Audubon Sanctuaries have also seen some love?
The Properties Department recently purchased a small BCS tractor with the intent of better managing the more remote fields at other Maine Audubon sanctuaries. Maine Audubon’s Land Steward Liz Thibault has quickly been putting miles on this mini but mighty piece of equipment! It’s been a few years since Josephine Newman and Mast Landing fields have been mowed, and now that they are, the difference is astounding. Liz removed a half dozen sizable pine trees that had grown up and mowed through acres of chest-high vegetation . . . Needless to say, she’s been having fun this December!
The fields located on Maine Audubon properties predate the organization’s oversight of the land. Continuing to keep the fields open is a strategy that prevents woody vegetation growth from dominating the land unit and can play a role in creating critical habitat for wildlife. Routine mowing of grasslands or pasture fields helps maintain grassy areas that provide nesting habitat for certain bird species and small mammals. Well-maintained fields can also aid in insect diversity, create a space for flowering plants to thrive for pollinators, and keep invasive plant species in check.
See the progress pictures below. Please note the photo of the hawk! Birds of prey seemed very happy with the amount of mice scurrying in the freshly mowed fields, swooping down for lunch and snacks at Mast Landing yesterday.
