In order to protect ground nesting birds and prevent nest destruction, cutting or mowing of Iowa's roadside ditches is prohibited by law, Iowa Code 314.17, between March 15 and July 15 of each year.
Our roadsides, or right-of-way areas, may not seem like the most spectacular bird habitat. However, areas like these are often times a last resort for many of our sensitive nesting bird species. These areas, as stated above, are protected by state law to ensure that our grassland nesting species such as partridge, pheasants, meadowlarks and other upland songbird species have a successful spring nesting season.