(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . The Daily Bucket -- Back From the Brink of Extinction [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-06-29 By all rights, the Kirtland’s Warbler should be Michigan’s state bird. Mind you, I’ve got nothing against the official state bird, the American Robin. It’s one of my favorite birds, especially when it first start singing its fluty song in the early spring. However, the Kirtland’s Warbler nests almost exclusively in northern Michigan, with some venturing into Wisconsin. The All About Birds range map shows a tiny spot in Ontario as well. I learned a lot about Kirtland’s Warblers on a recent field trip in the Huron-Manistee National Forest, sponsored by the Michigan Audubon Society. Not so long ago, the Kirtland’s was close to extinction. Always known as a scarce bird with a limited range, Kirtland's Warbler apparently began to decline seriously in the 1960s; census numbers dropped from 502 singing males in 1961 to only 201 in 1971. Through most of the 1970s and 1980s, the annual counts hovered around 200 males, twice dropping as low as 167. Audubon Field Guide. When the Endangered Species Act became law in 1973, national and state agencies worked with private interests to establish a recovery plan for Kirtland’s Warblers. This plan has been largely successful in stabilizing the Michigan population, and similar initiatives have been put into place in neighboring Wisconsin and Ontario. All About Birds. Within my lifetime, the bird has made a remarkable recovery. The two major reasons for the near extinction: brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds and habitat loss. BROOD PARASITISM Brown-headed Cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. The hatchlings often vastly outsize the host’s young, leaving them to starve. Or the hatchlings outright kill the host’s young. Either way, the hosts end up raising the Cowbird chick as their own. For reasons unclear, the Kirtland’s is especially susceptible to brood parasitism by Cowbirds. The turn around dates to 1971, when land managers began trapping cowbirds. Those efforts were very successful, and nest parasitism eventually dropped to 3%, virtually eliminating the problem. All About Birds. Male Brown-headed Cowbirds posturing at Lake St. Clair Metropark HABITAT LOSS Typical habitat — young Jack Pine forest, with tall snags from past fires. To understand the Kirtland’s choice of habitat, it helps to understand their nesting behavior and the uniqueness of Jack Pines. I learned from the Michigan Audubon Society guide that Kirtland’s nest on the ground. They need dense cover, close to the ground, to protect against predators. Kirtland’s Warbler habitat in the Huron-Manistee National Forest. . Jack Pines provide the dense undergrowth, but only in trees from about 5 to 15 years old. This is because young Jack Pines have branches all the way to the ground. But as they age, the brittle older branches break. This leaves any potential nest site exposed and unprotected, so the warblers move on to newer forest. Closeup of the Jack Pine forest, showing the denseness of the undergrowth. Humans contributed to the habitat loss through fire management. Jack Pines literally live for fire. Their cones do not open unless subjected to the heat of a forest fire. Fire suppression in the twentieth century led to a decline in suitable habitat as jack pine stands quickly grew too old for the warblers to use. Efforts to restore breeding habitat began in 1957 with attempts to set aside forest in central Michigan and rotate timber harvests so that there would always be some habitat of the appropriate age for the warblers. All About Birds. Jack Pines also like sandy soil. This is the closed road that serves as the trail through the Huron-Manistee National Forest for the Michigan Audubon Society field trip. Another view of the trail and general habitat. The Michigan Audubon Society Field Trip The field trip started at Hartwick Pines State Park (hopefully the subject of another Bucket), with an introduction to the Kirtland’s. I learned that they are big and bold for a warbler, usually not shy or fearful of humans, and will often sing right next to the trail. In mid-June, the males are establishing territory by making a circuit and singing from high snags. We were told to be patient and walk slowly and quietly. Often a male singing back in the forest would make his way closer to the trail for a good look. After caravanning to the nesting sight, I had Merlin sound ready to record. Within seconds of arriving, it identified multiple Kirtland’s singing all around us. Even if I didn’t get a good look or photos, in my mind, the day was already a success. The morning was cool and overcast, and the birds seemed to be staying away from the trail. Typical behavior in establishing his territory — singing from a high perch out in the open. I went back in the early afternoon and had better luck. I found a male singing very close to the trail, just as the guide said. And witnessed (but didn’t capture very well) the handoff of a butterfly from the male to his mate. This male had a small butterfly, but still managed to sing. Closer look. . . . Zoomed. Looking for someone. Ah! There she is. The female was closer to the ground. She’s not as brilliantly colored as the male, but still beautiful. Zoomed. A very blurry shot just before the food handoff. Zoomed. I sure wonder what she’s saying. The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns. We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the phenological patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream, visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on Follow. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PURPOSE AND HISTORY OF THE DAILY BUCKET FEATURE, CHECK OUT THIS DIARY: DAILY BUCKET PHENOLOGY: 11 YEARS OF RECORDING EARTH'S VITAL SIGNS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS Now it’s your turn! What’s going on in your neighborhood? [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/6/29/2176364/-The-Daily-Bucket-Back-From-the-Brink-of-Extinction Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/