Population Explosion?: Kirtland's Warbler Responds To Wildlife/Habitat Management

See the current quiz on the right side?

Now look at the above graphic that shows the annual population changes of Kirtland's Warbler in Michigan during the last 20 years.

Hmmmm.......Do you think the current majority of folks who answered the quiz are correct? Incorrect?

Truth be told, the Michigan DNR's habitat management plan is a huge victory for the federally endangered Kirtland's.
Their populations in 12 central-northcentral Michigan counties continue to thrive. Prescribed fires have helped create optimum conditions in their Jack Pine community whereby managers have helped Kirtland's rebound from the brink of extinction in the late 1980s.

For more information, see:

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12145_12202-32591--,00.html#quickfacts

Of course, Wisconsin breeding populations of Kirtland's are also big news. During the past three breeding seasons, Wisconsin has hosted newborns in at least two counties. For more details about the discovery of Kirtland's Warbler in Wisconsin and an overview of their breeding abundance, see one or more of my June and July, 2009 updates/articles in the archives section of this wood-warbler blog.