Do Upland Birds Prefer Dense Cover For Nesting?

Native Grass Restoration for Upland Birds

Native grass restoration is crucial for creating suitable nesting habitats for upland birds like pheasants, quail, and grouse. Warm-season grasses like switchgrass, big bluestem, and Indian grass are particularly effective for providing dense cover. These grasses can grow up to 6 feet tall, providing a sheltered environment for nesting birds.

Characteristics of Ideal Nesting Cover

For upland birds, ideal nesting cover typically includes dense vegetation with a mix of grasses and forbs, often with a height of 3-6 feet. The cover should also have a relatively low canopy density, allowing birds to fly in and out of the area with ease. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a cover that is at least 30% dense, with a mix of grasses and forbs that are 2-4 feet tall.

CRP and Native Grass Restoration

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides incentives for landowners to restore native grasslands and other habitats that benefit wildlife. By enrolling in CRP, landowners can create large tracts of native grasslands that provide ideal nesting cover for upland birds. These CRP areas can be planted with warm-season grasses, and then managed to maintain a mix of native grasses and forbs. This approach can result in a significant increase in upland bird populations, as well as other wildlife species that rely on native grasslands for habitat.