Birders flock to Michigan after annual KW migration

 
By JACKIE HANIFIN

When the Kirtland’s warblers wing their way back from the Bahamas – their winter place of shelter – in search of their nesting grounds under the young jack pines, another important migration soon follows.

The birders are coming, following the warblers to Northern Michigan. They fly in from Europe, Canada and many U.S. states. Some come from as far away as Australia.
Birders arrive in cars, campers and motor homes for the annual Kirtland’s Warbler Festival, held this year on May 15-16 at Kirtland Community College.

The federal and state governments spend millions on managing the warbler habitat, giving the endangered bird plenty of room to nest and flourish. But as long as birders continue flocking to Ogemaw, Oscoda, Roscommon and Crawford counties to see the bird it’s a good bet the warbler is paying its own way – and then some.

Communities like Roscommon, West Branch, Mio and Grayling are in a festive mood, gearing up for the influx of birders and the money that will be flowing into area businesses. Tourism is a huge part of the Northern Michigan economy and this little bird is good for the cash registers.

"The festival impacts me personally. Birders come form all over the world and stay at my camp," said Debra Looney, owner of Paddle Brave Camp and Canoe Livery of Roscommon.

"Birders are always calling and e-mailing for information," said Kathy Thomas of the Grayling Chamber of Commerce. "They call about accommodations and restaurants during the Warbler Festival and season."

"There are always people staying here to go on warbler tours," said Theresa Weber, director of sales at the Grayling Holiday Inn.

The jack pine forests abutting Kirtland Community College are one of the few nesting habitats of this endangered species of migrating warblers. As long as there are young jack pines the birds will stay and nest but the dwindling areas of new growth jack pines has endangered them. They are near extinction. The population had fallen below 100 singing males a generation ago, but now the numbers are on the rebound with the help of a variety of federal and state agencies.

"The Kirtland warbler population was about 1,200 this last year, 2003," said Elaine Carlson, wildlife biologist for the state of Michigan Department of Natural Resources at Mio. "In the previous two years it was about 1,050."

When the population is recorded to be above 1,000 for five consecutive years the recovery efforts may be deemed a success and the Kirtland’s warbler could be de-listed from the endangered species rolls. If that happens, Carlson said, the DNR will still be watching them even after funds from the federal agencies are reduced.

"It may not come from the Federal Endangered Species pot," Carlson said. "It may come out of a more general fund called the State Wildlife grant. This money is given to the state to enhance a special species, in this case the warbler, and the entire jack pine ecosystem. The money will be matched but not dollar for dollar."