There were 1,805 pairs of Kirtland’s Warblers found in Michigan this year, second only to 2009’s 1,813. The population has stabilized with neither increases nor decreases of greater than five percent since 2007. A couple dozen pairs also nest in neighboring states and provinces. Of course, Kirtland’s Warbler isn’t out of danger and won’t be for a very, very, very, long time, if ever, but this is a bit of bright news.
Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.
With such a specialized nester, it’s likely the population was never robust, even in pre-settlement times. The USFS, Michigan DNR, and USFWS do a great job of educating people about the warblers, including conducting tours during nesting season. I can’t drive 20 minutes from my house in any direction without seeing signs about KIWA on Jack Pine plots. In speaking with the above mentioned groups here last May, they have signed an agreement of intent to continue to manage much of this area as if the KIWA was endangered even if it’s delisted. That would include cowbird trapping in addition to quicker rotation of Jack Pine and area closures during nesting.
And yes, Corey, we have a free guest room for you or any other readers (that aren’t axe murderers) that want to make the Kirtland’s pilgrimage!
Their – there – they’re
English language, difficult language. But good news nonetheless.
😉
@Kirby: You may live to regret this…but thanks!
@Jochen: Fixed. Who speaks English as a first language?
Er, not you? 😉