Grassland Bird Conservation in the King Ranch Area

Every spring, hayfields in Chester County come alive as grassland birds return from their wintering grounds to breed. Bobolinks flutter low over the grasses, singing their bubbling songs in vivid display, looking for a mate. Having flown over 6,000 miles from their wintering territory in Argentina, they fill the rapidly growing hayfields with sound. Eastern Meadowlarks whistle their songs perched on fence posts, while Grasshopper and Savannah Sparrows buzz from the grasses. These are some of the species that Brandywine’s easement stewards have been searching for this summer to increase our understanding of how these birds are using protected lands and inform conservation efforts.