Wisconsin Kirtland's Warbler Update

June 22, 2009

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Adams County Monitoring

Nest observations continue in the Adams County nesting area, as we attempt to confirm the breeding status of each of the eight mated pairs present at the site. So far our monitor Nick has found six nests, four with nestlings and two with eggs. He also determined that two of these nests were parasitized by cowbirds.

This photo of the Bahamas-banded male (YAIY) was taken on the date of his apparent arrival at the Adams County site, May 12, 2009. Photo by Nick Anich.

Color Banding

We successfully captured and color banded two more Adams County Kirtland’s warbler males over the past week. One of these birds was captured at the main breeding site, and the second bird at a new site about six miles away. Nick now believes that this second bird may be the same unbanded male previously observed at the main breeding site, which disappeared about the same time that this bird was discovered. Based upon this information, we now believe we currently have nine male and nine female Kirtland’s warblers in Adams County. On Friday, we traveled to Marinette County, where an unbanded male was recently reported. We successfully captured and banded this bird as well, which means that all 11 Kirtland’s warbler males that are known to be present in Wisconsin are now banded.

 

Cowbird Trapping

We ended our cowbird trapping for the season on Saturday, June 20. USDA Wildlife Specialist Barry Benson reports that for the season 221 males and 82 females were captured, for a grand total of 303 cowbirds removed from the site in 2009. Based upon the most recent observations, Kirtland’s warblers at the Adams County breeding site are expected to be incubating full clutches or feeding young at this time.

 

Statewide Surveys

Over 40 Wisconsin volunteers conducted surveys in potential Kirtland’s warbler habitat, primarily during the period from June 6 through the 15th. Volunteer surveyors found one male Kirtland’s warbler at a new site in Adams County, and two males at two separate locations in Marinette County. All three of these males have been determined to be paired with a female, and all have now been banded. Another possible Kirtland’s warbler was also reported at a site in Douglas County, but has not yet been confirmed. Anyone finding a Kirtland’s warbler is asked to contact either Joel or Kim at the e-mails and telephone numbers listed below.

 

Joel A. Trick U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2661 Scott Tower Drive New Franken, WI 54229 920-866-1737 joel_trick@fws.gov

Kim Grveles Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 101 S. Webster Street - ER/6 Madison, WI 53703 608-266-0822 kim.grveles@wisconsin.gov

 

 

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