DNR can tailor CRP plantings to meet wildlife’s needs

BOONE – Several hard winters and wet springs have taken their toll on upland bird populations, but help is available.

The general Conservation Reserve Program signup ending April 15 provides a way for landowners to increase pheasant, quail, turkey, duck or songbird numbers on their land.

“The general CRP is a great opportunity for landowners to match up grass, wildflower and tree plantings to attract the wildlife species they are seeking,” said Todd Bogenschutz, DNR’s state pheasant biologist.

“Rental rates have been updated, making CRP more attractive in many counties,” he added. “Most important, it’s a way to provide critical nesting, brood and winter habitat that upland birds need to survive.”

For landowners with larger tracts of land, Bogenschutz recommends providing tall native grasses such as Switchgrass, with some conifers to provide core winter cover. A food plot near winter cover improves its wildlife benefits.  “The last few winters have been tough on birds. Providing winter cover and food ensures that they have a place to eat and get out of the weather when they are most vulnerable,” he said.

Spring nesting habitat is just as important. Land enrolled in general CRP usually includes hillsides – land not subject to flooding.

“I have pictures of filter strips and other habitat that looks great, until you see that it’s three feet under water during May and June when most bird species nest,” Bogenschutz said. “Upland birds all nest on the ground, so they need to be in areas far from water.”

He recommends taller grasses like Big Bluestem, Indian Grass, and Canada Wildrye mixed with a few wildflowers for nesting habitat. The taller grasses help the hens hide from predators.
 
Finally, the chicks need brood habitat – a mix of smaller native grasses like Drop Seed or Little Bluestem and quite a few wildflowers. This mix allows small chicks, the size of a thumbnail, to navigate. The wildflowers also attract insects, a source of protein needed for their feathers to grow.
 
Bogenschutz urges landowners interested in providing wildlife habitat to visit their local USDA Farm Service Agency office before the signup ends on April 15. The DNR, and the USDA FSA and Natural Resource Conservation Service staff can help plan the habitat for a CRP offer.
 
“Tell me your area of interest, whether turkey, pheasant or meadowlark, and we can probably tailor your plantings to provide cover for that species,” he said.
 
More information is available on the DNR and FSA websites at www.iowadnr.gov or www.fsa.usda.gov.