The following newspaper article was sent me by my mother-in-law, who
(or is it whom?) I'm required to credit.

Grand Rapids Press July 20, 1996

Kirtlands Warbler sings across new territory
Associated Press

Marquette [Michigan] - The endangered Kirtlands Warbler may be
expanding its range into the Upper Peninsula, state Department of
Natural Resources biologists say.
Counts last month found five singing males in Marquette County, six
in Schoolcraft County, one in Baranga County and two in Delta
County.
At least six female warblers were found with the males, suggesting
the birds are nesting.
There certainly are some sites where there probably are nests,
said John Stuht, DNR district biologist for the central Upper
Peninsula. People have seen birds carrying food.
The worlds only known group of Kirtlands Warblers nests each
summer in jack pine forests of the northern Lower Peninsula. The
birds winter in the Bahamas.
In addition to the warblers discovered in the Upper Peninsula, 678
singing males were found in nine Lower Michigan counties - two of
which lie outside the birds historic range.
This is only the second year that mated pairs have been found
outside the traditional nesting areas in the northern Lower
Peninsula, said Thomas Weis, DNR endangered species coordinator.
Especially encouraging are the increased numbers of birds in
outlying areas of Ostego and Alcona counties and in the Upper
Peninsula.
Stuht said more of the birds are being found in the Upper Peninsula
because the species is flourishing downstate. That produces more
wandering individuals seeking wider areas.
Also, jack pine forest stands in the UP are being cut and replanted
as many trees are reaching maturity. This makes room for younger
trees and more habitat, said Stuht...The habitat there has been
improving for 10 years.
The Kirtlands Warbler nest on the ground, only in stands of trees
between five and 16 feet tall with live branches that reach the
ground. Historically, these stands of young jack pine were
maintained by naturally occurring wildfires (*) before fire
suppression programs altered the natural process and reduced the
birds habitat.
Today, foresters and biologists use clearcutting, burning, seeding
and replanting to replicate the effects of wildfires (*).
More than 2,500 acres of jack pine trees were planted on federal and
state lands this spring and 1,800 additional acres will be planted
this fall. The trees will provide suitable habitat for warblers in
six to 10 years.
Until then, biologists expect warbler census numbers to remain near
current levels... The 1996 count found 692 singing males, second
only to 1995 when ... 765 [were counted]. The lowest number counted
was 167 in 1987.

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(*) I hate the term <wildfire.> What ever happened to <forest fire>?
Perhaps, controlled burns should be renamed <tamefires.>

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