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Current Status:

During the nesting season, the Kirtland's warbler is a habitat specialist that is restricted to extensive areas dominated by 5- to 6-year-old jack pines (1 to 5 feet tall). Such areas are created when fires occur in mature stands of jack pines, resulting in seed germination. During modern times, forest fire control has reduced the total acreage burned and also the size of individual burns. As a result, nesting habitat shortages remain the principal threat to the warbler, since natural regeneration of habitat is precluded by forest fire control. Weather conditions may complicate habitat management; for example, droughts can result in the loss of jack pine nursery stock. However, cowbird nest parasitism is manageable and should remain that way with the continuation of the control program.

Achievements:

The Fish and Wildlife Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources completed a cooperative agreement for the management of Service land in 1992, the same year the Kirtland's warbler count totalled 397 male birds. This was an increase of 14 percent over the previous year, and the highest number since 1961. During the last 13 years, the Service has acquired nearly 7,000 acres for inclusion in Kirtland's Warbler Management Units. Continued monitoring of cowbird nest parasitism resulted in the removal of more than 3,700 cowbirds from warbler breeding colonies in 1992. The Service's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center concluded field work on a study of site fidelity and related topics in 1992. Preliminary results of the Patuxent study indicate the survival rates of young and adult Kirtland's warblers are comparable to those of other wood warblers and are adequate for survival. Field work also was concluded in 1992 on an Ohio Cooperative Research Unit doctoral examination of habitat variables and their effects on mating and reproduction. In informal section 7 activities, the Forest Service consulted on its cooperative gypsy moth spraying program. A one-half mile no-spray buffer zone around active Kirtland's warbler nesting areas resulted.

Current Recovery Needs:

Continued habitat management, population monitoring, cowbird control, and public outreach efforts are required for recovery.

Section 6 Funding and Activities:

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources received $180,663 in FY 1991 and $175,000 in FY 1992 for protection, monitoring, planning, and habitat management on State Forest Kirtland's Warbler Management Units.

Partnerships

Forest Service: Responsible for Huron National Forest Kirtland's Warbler Management Units, the Forest Service did not meet all of its 1992 habitat management goals due to drought-related loss of jack pine nursery stock. However, the agency continues to finance the hand-planting of jack pine seedlings to augment tree densities. Approximately 2,000 acres of habitat were created by the Forest Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in 1992 as a result.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources: The Department was active in monitoring birds and managing habitat on State lands.

Michigan Audubon Society: Under a cooperative agreement with the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Audubon Society annually provides $1,500 to augment the budget for guided public viewings of Kirtland's warblers. Additional public education cost share was provided to the Forest Service.

Recovery Plan Status:

Original plan approved 10/22/76; revised 9/30/85.