Kirtland's Warbler Could Become Michigan's New State Bird

Kirtland's warbler to soon come off the endangered species list, could replace the robin as Michigan's state bird.

By Associated Press, Wire Service Content July 29, 2019, at 1:05 a.m.

BY NEAL RUBIN, THE Detroit News

DETROIT (AP) — Any week now, the Kirtland's warbler will come off the endangered species list. Therein flies some problems.

The escape from federal protection, mind you, is good news. The Kirtland's warbler has been considered endangered since 1967, even before the passage of the Endangered Species Act.

But the warbler, which nests almost exclusively in the pine barrens of northern Michigan, is not out of the woods yet.

There's money involved, some $300,000 a year. There's gentle tweaking yet to be done with the bird's very precise habitat.

With human help, however, it has overcome the two greatest perils to its existence — a preponderance of brown-headed cowbirds, and a lack of forest fires.

It's still adorable. Still a tourist attraction. Still a far better choice than the boring ol' robin as Michigan's state bird, its fans will tell you, and they might soon try to make that official, The Detroit News reported.

But it's not a bald eagle.

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Endangered bird found on rooftop of downtown Lansing building

LANSING (WILX) A Peregrine falcon with three eggs was recently found on the rooftop of the Comerica Bank Building in downtown Lansing.

The bird, which is an endangered species in Michigan, was found on April 5th by a worker during a construction business meeting.

The U.S. peregrine falcon population declined in the 1960's due to a pesticide called DDT. By 1968, the entire U.S. peregrine falcon population east of the Mississippi River was gone.

According to a June 2017 report from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the southeast Michigan Peregrine Falcon population has increased from five young birds reintroduced in 1987 to 15 nesting pairs that reared 30 young in 2016.

More from the DNR: "These falcons require large areas of open air for hunting, and are not found in areas that are heavily forested. The diet of the peregrine falcon includes a wide variety of small birds, including pigeons, seabirds, shorebirds and songbirds. Occasionally, they have been known to take small ducks, earning them the misleading name "duck hawks." Peregrines hunt by diving at their prey from far above and catching it in mid-flight. During these incredible dives, called "stoops," the birds can reach speeds of 180 miles per hour."

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Michigan bald eagles are basically flame retardant

February 11, 2015

Chuck Bednar for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online

Not really, but they are one of the most contaminated avian species on the planet, according to researchers from the University of Michigan in a recent edition of the Journal of Great Lakes Research.

Nil Basu, an associate professor at McGill University who conducted his research while at the Ann Arbor-based university, and his colleagues analyzed hepatic polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels in Wisconsin river otters and Michigan bald eagles from 2009 to 2011.

According to PlanetExperts.com, the researchers examined 33 eagles, and found that all but two of them tested positive for at least four common types of PBDE, a type of flame retardant which were commonly used from 1970 through 2004, when they were banned and/or phased out.

In fact, one of the bald eagles tested measured at 1,538 parts per billion PBDEs in its liver, the website explained. In comparison, the median concentration in humans in the US is about 30 ppb, making it one of the highest concentration rates in the world.

Previous studies have linked exposure to the substance to liver, thyroid and brain damage in humans, and in birds, it has been associated with hormone disruption, reproductive issues and behavioral and developmental problems. While the population is stable, the eagles had PBDE concentrations that were “among the highest…in liver tissues of any wildlife.”

Read more at 

Climate change may push Michigan into no-fly zone for many bird species

When someone among the faithful birding community in the Mount Pleasant area comes across a Bohemian waxwing, word about a rare sighting of the bird gets out quickly through social media and cellphones.

But even the best communication tools might not help birders find their favorites in the coming decades. A study released this week by the Audubon Society asserts that climate change will drastically alter the habitats of dozens of species nationwide and, in some cases, lead to their extinction in 65 years. At least one university biologist says the state is already experiencing some of these bird habitat changes.

bohemian waxwing - Audobon Society

The Audubon Society study paints a grim future when, by 2080, “the climate model projects, dozens of avian species across the country could be hurtling toward extinction — and not just birds that are already in trouble.” Conditions that attract birds during certain times of the year are changing, meaning the geographic locations where they flourish might shrink or move if the society’s climate model proves accurate.

For Michigan, located in the heart of the Great Lakes as well as in the migratory route known as the Mississippi Flyway, it might mean the departure of several cherished species and drastically reduced numbers of others. And it might affect several communities financially.

From The Detroit News:

New bird spikes at the tennis courts

ESCANABA -- The City of Escanaba’s newly resurfaced tennis courts are not only loved by our local athletes, but also the seagulls. Until recently, these birds were perching on the court’s lights and dropping waste on its surface.

To address this issue, the city purchased 3 to 4 inch bird spikes. These spikes were installed on top of each of the court’s 22 lights. As an added bonus, the city was able to change a few old bulbs while they were using the bucket truck. The bird issue was brought to the city’s attention by community members.

“We’re always looking to take feedback from the public,” said City of Escanaba recreation director, Tom Penegor. “In this case, it was something that we could do, tried, and did and it’s working and hopefully they’ll last a long time.”

The entire bird spike project cost less than $500.

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=1089600#.VACGWNJdXp8

Mid-Michigan birds contaminated with DDT

Posted: May 27, 2014 10:19 PM GDT

Updated: May 27, 2014 10:26 PM GDT

Posted By Brianna Owczarzak - email

By Craig McMorris, TV5 Anchor/Reporter

A Mid-Michigan community that was the site of the costliest Environmental Protection Agency cleanup in history once again has the attention of environmentalists.

Volunteers are being trained on how to deal with birds contaminated with the pesticide DDT. 

Michigan State University wildlife toxicology professor Matt Zwiernik outlined to a couple of volunteers what they need to do when they come across dead birds in St. Louis. 

Last year some robins and other birds found in residential yards near the buried Velsicol Chemical plant site died from DDT poisoning. They think the DDT originated from that plant.

"We collected 28 birds and I think 27 of them had concentrations in their brains greater than a 100 [parts per million] which is considered the threshold for adverse effects," Zwiernik said.

Now the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality wants to gather as many dead birds as possible.

The volunteers are vital. They need to get out and find these dead birds before predators get a hold of them.

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Controlled burn aims to help sparrow habitat

: APRIL 9, 2014 : Updated: April 9, 2014 2:40pm

MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A controlled burn in the Lansing area is expected to help improve habitat for the Henslow's sparrow.

The Lansing State Journal (http://on.lsj.com/R2xFcC ) reports that the bird and many other types of wildlife use prairie habitat at the Davis-Foster Land Preserve in Ingham County's Meridian Township. The sparrow is listed as endangered in Michigan. Crews conducted the burn Tuesday at part of the preserve.

Meridian Township officials say the goal is to kill invasive species and rejuvenate the soil so that native wildflowers and other plants can thrive. Officials say another such burn is planned at Ingham County's Lake Lansing Park North over the next few weeks.

The Davis-Foster Land Preserve includes about 100 acres of grassland prairie. The Henslow's sparrow is expected back in the area this month.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/science/article/Controlled-burn-aims-to-help-sparrow-habitat-5388368.php

State getting millions for bird habitat

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

LANSING, MI (AP)-- Michigan is getting a share of $61 million in funding to protect, restore and enhance wetlands and other areas that are migratory bird habitats. 

The Michigan Upper Peninsula Coastal Wetland Project III is getting $1 million to target habitat gaps and habitat management limitations. And a Michigan project involving the U.P.'s Garden Peninsula is also getting $1 million to help protect land.

The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission recently approved $54.7 million to protect, restore, and enhance more than 200,000 acres of habitat in the United States, Mexico and Canada. It also approved nearly $6.6 million related to land acquisitions. 

http://wnmufm.org/post/state-getting-millions-bird-habitat

US RARE BIRD SIGHTINGS: Winged Wonder

By SHERI WORM

Contributing Writer

Winter bird haven attracts rare off-season visitor

BEAR LAKE – Charles and Marge Keil, of Bear Lake, have an unusual winter visitor in their yard this year.

When Marge noticed a bird she had never seen before, she pulled out her “Audubon Bird Guide” and discovered it was a male Eastern Rufous-sided Towhee.

It's no surprise this bird would choose to dine at the Keils. It is one of more than 20 varieties of birds that eat there, including a magnificent Pileated Woodpecker.

What makes it unusual is that the Eastern Towhee rarely winters in Michigan, according to Dr. Brian Allen, president of the Manistee County Audubon Society. The only other sighting this year was in Holland.

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Wildlife officials remove arrow from Canada goose that drew attention in Michigan; bird is OK

BAY CITY, Mich. — Wildlife officials in Michigan have removed an arrow from a Canada goose more than two months after the injured bird was spotted, leaving the once-easily recognized bird to blend in once again with its fellow geese.

The female goose initially was seen wandering in downtown Bay City in April and people alerted the state Department of Natural Resources, expressing concern for its safety, MLive.com reported (http://bit.ly/131InlA ).

Officials initially decided not to remove the arrow, because the bird was able to fly without difficulty. The DNR again came across the goose at the end of June when biologists were banding geese and decided to take action.

“It really, actually, was a lucky chance that we were able to get that goose in the pen when we were rounding up geese to band them,” Michigan DNR Wildlife Outreach Technician Holly Vaughn said. “That particular goose wasn’t targeted. It just happened to be with the rest of the geese when our biologists were banding.”

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Bird battle ruffles feathers in Commerce Township

Author: Ashlee Baracy, Local 4 Traffic

Some residents living near a nature park in Commerce Township are getting fed up with the nature living there.

Specifically the Canada Geese that are leaving droppings along the lakeshore and sidewalks near the Robert H Long Nature Park. Residents are ready to take action and their plans are leading to a bird battle in the community.

"Everyplace you look there's geese," said Milton Erlich, whose condos backs up against the nature park. He says the geese must go.

There is no doubt that the droppings are unwanted, but some activists have been raising awareness calling the potential goose round up inhumane.

Neighbors like Beatrice Leslie welcome the feathery friends and don't see the problem. "No I don't really, I read that letter they sent out and it was really heart wrenching," she said. "People want the geese transferred to other places, and you know I feel as though it's not time to do that, because they are living here with their babies."

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DEC: A bird, not a bullet, struck Scenic Railroad on Sunday

FORESTPORT, N.Y. (WKTV) - What was originally thought to be a bullet that had struck a window of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad over the weekend has now been determined to be a bird, the Department of Environmental Conservation said on Friday.

Officials with the Adirondack Scenic Railroad said that passengers on board the railroad knew something had happened Sunday afternoon because a window of the train was shattered, but fortunately, no one was hurt.

The train was on its way back to the City of Utica from a leaf-peeping trip up north and the full train had just passed Forestport when it happened. State Police originally said they were looking into whether it was a stray bullet from a hunter or something else.

It turned out to be something else, as on Friday, officials with the DEC said they were called in to assist State Police and determined that it was a bird that had struck the window and shattered it, not a bullet.

http://www.wktv.com/news/local/DEC-A-bird-not-a-bullet-struck-Scenic-Railroad-on-Sunday-174992151.html

Safe Passages: Making Michigan safer for migratory birds

In a statewide proclamation, Governor Snyder has designated Aug. 15 through Oct. 31 as Safe Passages Great Lakes Days, helping protect millions of migratory birds as they move across Michigan this fall.

To keep birds safe as they pass through the state, Project Safe Passages Great Lakes encourages the owners of tall buildings to follow some simple recommendations during the peak migratory seasons. SPGL Days are from March 15-31 and Aug. 15 - Oct. 31. The proclamation asks all Michigan residents to turn off nonessential lighting between 11p.m. and dawn and participate in SPGL Days by “reduc[ing] the use of unneeded electricity throughout the state.” Owners and occupants of buildings over four stories tall are encouraged to:

Turn off all lights between 11p.m. and 6 a.m. on unoccupied floors and in unused spaces.

Keep light “inside” by covering windows or using task lights instead of ceiling lights.

Turn off all exterior illumination from midnight to dawn.

Michigan lies in the path of two principal migration routes—the Atlantic and the Mississippi Flyways, and each spring and fall hundreds of thousands of birds perish while crossing our state. Dr. Daniel Klem Jr., an ornithologist at Muhlenberg College, estimates that in the United States more than one billion birds, roughly five to twenty percent of the yearly bird population are killed in bird-building collisions every year. More than half of these collisions are fatal, and birds that at first seem to have survived the impact often become easy targets for predators. The danger is perhaps greatest during fall migration, when inexperienced birds are making the trip for the first time.

Read on:  http://www.annarbor.com/health/safe-passages-making-michigan-safer-for-migratory-birds/