Les “fenaisons centrifuges”, une méthode pour réduire la mortalité des jeunes Râles de genêts Crex crex et Cailles des blés Coturnix coturnix

Abstract

An alternative method of mowing was tested in the Saône Valley, in order to improve the survival rate of unfledged Corncrakes in flooded alluvial meadows. Instead of mowing a field, as usual, in a spiral from the outer edge, the meadow was cut from the middle outwards. With the traditionnal method, in the current technical conditions, the mortality of young corncrakes was assessed to 86 %. The alternative way of cutting enables to reduce the losses to 17,5 %. Its efficiency could also be established with the Quail. This method has to become a necessary complement to already implemented programs designed to promote late mowings (after July 15), since, most often, young birds bom from second broods are unable to fly before August.