Kirtland's Warbler and Jack Pine
Michigan. 5/26/2020.
This species has recovered well and its range expansion is limited only by the availablity of suitable Jack Pine habitat. About 4000 acres of such habitat is clear cut each year and the same amount replanted with 2 year old seedlings as this warbler requires Jack Pine forests of specific age in order to nest and survive. Formerly before man's intervention fires provided new habitat. The parasitic cowbird also contributed to the species decline and it is my understanding that cowbird trapping has now ceased in their habitat due to the strong recovery of the species and the decline of the cowbird in northern Michigan.
Last year in 2019 we ran into a Smithsonian team that was monitoring nests after removal of cowbird traps. Time will tell if cowbird trapping will need to be reinstituted or not. The species was delisted from the endangered species list in the fall of 2019 but will remain dependent on habitat management. Up to 95% of the species breeds in managed habitat according to a recent study.
It is always a highlight of my Michigan trips to hear my first KIWA of the season singing away in the Jack Pine forests.
Kirtland's Warbler and Jack Pine
Michigan. 5/26/2020.
This species has recovered well and its range expansion is limited only by the availablity of suitable Jack Pine habitat. About 4000 acres of such habitat is clear cut each year and the same amount replanted with 2 year old seedlings as this warbler requires Jack Pine forests of specific age in order to nest and survive. Formerly before man's intervention fires provided new habitat. The parasitic cowbird also contributed to the species decline and it is my understanding that cowbird trapping has now ceased in their habitat due to the strong recovery of the species and the decline of the cowbird in northern Michigan.
Last year in 2019 we ran into a Smithsonian team that was monitoring nests after removal of cowbird traps. Time will tell if cowbird trapping will need to be reinstituted or not. The species was delisted from the endangered species list in the fall of 2019 but will remain dependent on habitat management. Up to 95% of the species breeds in managed habitat according to a recent study.
It is always a highlight of my Michigan trips to hear my first KIWA of the season singing away in the Jack Pine forests.