"At this point, the only known nesting Kirtlands warblers are in a relatively small area of the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan," stated Ron Refsnider, biologist for the Fish and Wildlife Services Endangered Species Division in the Twin Cities regional office. "Our hope is that this survey will provide evidence of one or more new nesting colonies starting up in Wisconsin. If a new colony is established, it could greatly improve the likelihood that this species will survive, and be removed from the endangered species list."
The survey will be conducted primarily by state and Federal biologists during the peak of the warblers singing period in late spring. Biologists will walk through areas judged to be suitable habitat for the species, based upon the habitat used by Kirtlands warblers on the Michigan nesting grounds. The biologists will be listening for the easily identified songs of the male warblers. The females do not sing on the nesting grounds. By closely watching males, biologists are able to determine if the males have a female on their territories.
Officials warn bird watchers to stay away from areas where Kirtlands warblers are found. If one or several pairs are establishing new colonies in Wisconsin, even minor disturbance by birders could result in the birds abandoning their nesting attempts.
"Wisconsin Kirtlands warbler colonies would be very important to the long term survival of this species," said Randy Jurewicz, Wisconsin nongame program supervisor. "I dont think birders wishing to add this species to their life list will risk disturbing the birds when they realize they are actually inter-fering with the survival of species."
Disturbing or harassing an endangered species is a violation of Federal and Wisconsin law. Law enforcement officers will be patrolling the areas where the warblers are found.
Birdwatchers wishing to see Kirtlands warblers should attend one of the tours offered at Grayling and Mio, Michigan, by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service. Singing male Kirtlands warblers are heard on virtually every tour and most tour participants get to see the birds as well.
Arrangements can be made for individuals with special needs. For tour information and assistance please call 517-348-6371 (Grayling) or 517-826 3252 (Mio).
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
