Kirtland's Warbler faced extinction on their breeding grounds in Michigan in the 1970s. For 40 years, volunteers
planted jack pines and biologists trapped and killed cowbirds, which were parasitizing Kirtland nests.
Over the past 4 years, biologists have been removing the cowbird raps and the amount of cowbird parasitism
has been very low!
This is good news because the population of Kirtland's is now able to stand on its own, at least as
regards cowbirds. The Mio Michigan community know birding tourism is a cash cow, so they will
hopefully continue maintaining the breeding grounds with jack pines and low-growing vegetation.
If you haven't been to Mio, Michigan (or the other community where Audubon conducts tours), go!
You are virtually guaranteed to see Kirlands in May. Cheers for a conservation success story.
This story was posted mid-summer, but I discovered it when cleaning out my inbox!
Good Birding,
Peggy Gonder
Westminster, CO
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