Most reedbeds have to be cut if they are to remain as reedbed rather than succeed to scrub and wet woodland. But how often they have to be cut and the costs and benefits to wildlife of different cutting cycles have rarely been studied in detail. Work published by Jaap Graveland (J. Avian Biology 30: 469-482) on the density and nesting success of Reed Warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus and Sedge Warblers A. schoenobaenus in reedbeds provides good evidence of the costs and benefits for these birds.