With Kirtland’s warbler
numbers strong, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has proposed
removing the bird from the federal list of threatened and endangered species —
a huge conservation success story. A comment period on the proposal is open
until mid-July, and FWS has until next spring to make a final decision. The
Kirtland’s warbler was listed as endangered more than 40 years ago when its
numbers dropped precipitously due to habitat loss and nest predation from
brown-headed cowbirds. Now on the rebound, the bird is mostly found
in lower Michigan, but Wisconsin hosts a population that continues to grow,
expanding from mainly Adams County to include Marinette and Bayfield counties.
For now, the bird will continue to be listed on the state’s endangered species
list. Habitat management efforts have played a major role in the recovery, with
areas of young jack pine forests needed to support the species. Also, a unique project — involving playing a recording of the Kirtland’s song to attract the birds — has shown promise in northern Wisconsin. Read about
that and more on the Kirtland’s recovery in the Summer issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine, coming in mid-June.
 Birders needed for WBBA II
Entering the
fourth of five seasons, the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II project is seeking
volunteers to help report the birds they see around them engaged in breeding
behavior. This can include such activity as carrying nesting materials, male
birds singing or females incubating eggs. The goal is to document
all bird species that breed in the state. "We need more volunteers to survey
priority areas so we get a complete picture of what's going on with our bird
populations and how we can help them moving forward," said Nick Anich,
Breeding Bird Atlas coordinator for the DNR. Observations are entered in an
easy online process and are reviewed by Anich and other ornithologists from
organizations leading the project: the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, the
Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory, the Wisconsin Bird Conservation
Initiative and the DNR. When complete, data will be published in
hard-copy book form and online.
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MORE FOR BIRDERS: The Great Wisconsin Birdathon 2018 fundraiser, a
joint effort of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin
Bird Conservation Initiative is happening now through June 15. Put together
your team and pick a day to go out and look for birds, pledging money for
species you see. Proceeds benefit bird conservation projects throughout
Wisconsin. Click here for details.
Friends
photo contest
The 2018 Friends of Wisconsin State Parks photo contest is open. Users of state properties are encouraged to enter images of beautiful scenery and visitors enjoying activities at a
state park, forest, trail or recreation area. Horizontal images
only; all entries must be uploaded online. Deadline is Aug. 31. Winning
photos will be featured in the 2019 Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Calendar. Check the Friends website at fwsp.org for details and a link to
enter.
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