A Kirtland’s warbler that hatched in Wisconsin last year and was banded before its first migration has returned to its birthplace in Adams County, providing a significant milestone in efforts to help boost populations of this federally endangered songbird, state and federal bird experts say.
“This is the first time we’ve been able to document that a bird hatched in Adams County has returned to the area,” says Kim Grveles, a Department of Natural Resources avian ecologist. It’s a very encouraging sign that Wisconsin is providing suitable and successful breeding habitat for these birds.”
Chris Mensing, endangered species biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, also hailed the news. “It’s exciting to see Kirtland’s warblers returning to habitat in Wisconsin. With endangered species, you never want to put all your eggs in one basket. Having a successful breeding population outside the core Kirtland's warbler range in Michigan helps protect the species from catastrophic events.”
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