Jessica Bonaventura, Bobby's Run School
Burlington County
Second Place, Burlington County, Henslow's Sparrow (c) Jessica Bonaventura
Henslow's sparrow
OH NO!!! A big machine is coming towards my nest! I fly out, but when I look back I see my family in the nest. I want to fly back in for them but it is too late! After the machine passes I fly back to see my family. They are all dead.
One reason the Henslow's sparrow species is endangered is because they are being crushed by tractors due to mowing. Our species prefer to run on the ground to catch our meals. We love grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects. We live in holes in the ground. Our nests are covered by some grass. The grass is easy to find because we live in a grassland habitat. Because we live on the ground, tractors will plow over our nests and whatever is inside the nest becomes crushed and/or dead. Cattle overgrazing also is a problem for us and our habitats.
Our appearance is a small 5-9 inch tall bird. Our feathers are black, brown, yellow, and orange. We weigh about 14 grams and, honestly, we are adorable.
A way that you can help us survive is to stop plowing over our nests! Before plowing a field, check it over in case there are nests. If you find any nests mark them in a way that will tell you "DON'T PLOW THIS SPOT!!! THERE IS A NEST HERE!!!" Mowing and grazing should not be conducted during our breeding season which is from mid-April to mid-August.
PLEASE SAVE US!!! We help control the insect and weed populations. Stop developing buildings and farms by and near our nests. Think conservation not developments. HELP US!!!
Written by: Jessica Bonaventura
Bobby 's Run School, Lumberton, NJ
Teacher: Mrs. Carver