Grassland presents a habitat for various species of wild animals such as deer, birds, rodents, and insects. Therefore, when mowing, we must consider the safety of these animals. We also do not want the remains of animal carcasses in the forage, as this may be associated with the risk of developing diseases in domestic animals.
The safety of grasslands wildlife can be ensured by the correct mowing direction, which allows animals to escape from the field. Therefore, mowing is done from the middle of the field towards the edge and not from the edge towards the middle.
On larger areas, firstly two longitudinal strips along the edge of the field should be mowed and then mowing can continue from the inside of the field toward the edge. The grasslands along the roads must be mowed parallel to the road and in the direction away from the road so that animals are not chased on the road. Chains can also be used on tractors to scare the animals with noise.
Wildlife-friendly mowing from the inside to the outside of the field (Lovska družina Radenci, 2011)
A corncrake Crex crexis is endangered bird species, nesting on the grassland ground from May to August (Peter Buchner, ptice.si)
In the protected areas and areas included in Natura 2000, special rules for mowing are prescribed to preserve certain endangered species. It is mainly about mowing in the time after the nesting of most birds and mowing at least 10-15 cm away from the ground. Higher mowing protects smaller grassland animals and insects that can hide near the ground away from the mowing cutter bars and stay invisible to the predators like a white stork.
Sources:
Češ Jure, 2018. Ohranjanje narave v povezavi z ukrepi KOPOP – Predhodno usposabljanje za potrebe vključitve v ukrep KOPOP. MKGP, Direktorat za kmetijstvo, Sektor za podeželje [citirano 15.03.21; 12:50]. Dostopno na spletnem naslovu: www.program-podezelja.si/sl/knjiznica/216-ohranjanje-narave-v-povezavi-z-ukrepi-kopop/file
Lovska družina Radenci svetuje, 201. Pravilna košnja trave. [citirano 16.03.21; 12:50]. Dostopno na spletnem naslovu: www.turisticnodrustvo-radenci.si/datoteke/Zlozenka%20LD%20Radenci.pdf
