Joseph Ortega, Co-Principal Investigator of the grazing study, stands in an oak pasture that was ungrazed for the songbird breeding season (mid-May through July). This management strategy significantly reduced parasitism and increased nest success for chipping sparrows in oak pastures. Other birds that depend on oak-grassland habitat, such as gnatcatchers, towhees and other sparrows may also benefit from this short-term rest from grazing.
