The Reason You See These Fields Mowed in Maine May Surprise You

If you've been around Cresent beach, Kettle Cove, or Two Lights State Park this summer, maybe you've seen the familiar seasonal mowing of fields or even mowing on the edges of a walking trail. Did you ever wonder why? We did, until we got the answer from the wicked smart people at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. They are there to help out the only naive rabbit to the State of Maine. The New England Cottontail.  Yup, it's all for the cute little, bunny!

There are only about 300 New England Cottontails left and they are pretty much relegated to about 30 locations around Portland. You know you may have seen one in the wintertime as they stay brown-colored instead of turning white as many hares do.

From the MDIFW: 

"What might look like mowing of the edges of a walking trail to keep the brush from taking over or dead, falling trees could be habitat management in action. The Department works with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands to create habitat for the state-endangered New England cottontail at Crescent Beach, Kettle Cove, and Two Lights State Parks in Cape Elizabeth."

If you see one of these rare beauties, please contact: 

Cory Stearns
Assistant Regional Wildlife Biologist
358 Shaker Rd
Gray, ME 04039
(207) 657-2345 Ext 108
cory.r.stearns@maine.gov