By Jim Williams
APRIL 2, 2018 — 11:40AM
Is it possible that America’s
rarest warbler could be nesting in Minnesota? Birders will begin searching
this spring, starting in Pine County. Volunteers are wanted.
The bird is Kirtland’s Warbler,
until 10 years ago found exclusively in areas of jack pine in Michigan’s the
upper and lower peninsulas. Since then, the species has expanded in small
numbers to Wisconsin and Ontario.
The birds have had success in
Wisconsin. The first nesting was found in Adams County, 200 miles east of
Minneapolis.
The Minnesota search project will
be discussed April 9 from 7 to 8:45 p.m. at the Southdale library, 700l York
Ave. S. The meeting room is on the second floor.
The bird’s necessary jack-pine
habitat is found in abundance in north-central and northeastern Minnesota. The
tree likes poor, sandy soil. Pine County is considered a good place to start.
Kirtland’s is a very particular
specialist. It nests on the ground in grass under the lowest branches of jack
pines less than 20 years old, preferring trees 16-20 feet high.
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