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CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Michigan conservationists address decline in state's Kirtland's warbler population
The Kirtland's warbler, a colorful songbird that mostly resides in Michigan, is facing a decline in population, a bird count taken in June shows. In response to the circumstances, a team of conservation experts is working on a long-term plan to stabilize the population. This effort will include habitat monitoring and planning among state agencies, federal agencies and nonprofit groups. The conservation team's goal is to maintain at least 1,000 breeding pairs of the species. The 2021 population was estimated at 2,245 breeding pairs. The 2025 count, which took place in June, is estimated at 1,489 breeding pairs in U.S. lands, with only a few in Canada. "This is a situation we've been monitoring and addressing for several years now," said Erin Victory, a wildlife biologist and Kirtland's warbler management coordinator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. "We are confident we have enough tools and resources available to us, collectively within the conservation team, to reverse the decline and stabilize the population." About 98% of the Kirtland's warbler population lives in Michigan, with just a few in Wisconsin and Ontario. The ground nesting species prefers to breed among jack pine forests, a habitat that can be found among several counties in northern Lower Michigan and federally-managed lands. Specifically, the birds seek out jack pine stands that are about six to 20 years old, a growth pattern that historically happened through wildfire cycles. A census of the species takes place every two to four years, with volunteers and government staff using calls of the male bird to count the breeding pairs. Through this work, the bird population was considered to have dropped to less than 200 pairs in the 1970s and again in the 1980s. One of the steps that has been taken is monitoring its preferred habitat for an influx of cowbirds that can push out the Kirtland's warbler young. Another step is to clear-cut mature jack pine through timber sales, followed by planting jack pine seedlings, with the long-range schedule meant to build up ideal habitat. "While a population decline is not what we wanted to see this census, it is encouraging that we already understand the principal cause and conservation team members are taking steps to address the issue," said Steve Roels, coordinator of the Kirtland's Warbler Conservation Team and Kirtland's warbler program director for the American Bird Conservancy.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Community group raises money to buy woodland
People in Stroud have successfully raised £66,000 to purchase a local woodland. The community benefit society, Stroud Woodland, are now in the process of purchasing Slade Wood, with the hope of protecting it for future generations. Slade Wood forms part of continuous woodland beginning above Summer Street and extending along the Slad valley to Swifts Hill. Co-director of Stroud Woodland , Ben Spencer describes the wood as "a little pocket of woodland which is really treasured". More news stories for Gloucestershire Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire The Stroud Woodland Community Benefit Society was set up in 2010, to purchase Folly Wood, just north of Stroud. "What people really enjoy is having the opportunity to spend time in the space on their own or with their family, at Folly Wood," said Mr Spencer. This week, the group announced it had raised the necessary £66,000 to buy Slade Wood, a steep three-acre piece of woodland on the edge of the Slad Valley, on the outskirts of Stroud. "Because it's tucked away, it's a bit of a hidden gem," Mr Spencer said. Members of the public who bought shares to fund the purchase will get no financial return. Mr Spencer insists the benefit is social and environmental. "It's for people taking some time out. People locally have grown up and visited it over the years, as kids and teenagers, as well as parents of young children," he said. Once they have taken ownership of Slade Wood, the group plans to keep it open to the public, as it was under the previous owner. "We thought there was a danger it could be bought privately and fenced off with people no longer able to have access to the space," Mr Spencer said. On the environmental side, the group points to successes at Folly Wood where the creation of clearings and ponds has increased biodiversity. Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Campaign launched to buy waterfall beauty spot We bought woodland where we walk our dogs for £900k Woodland at Unesco site for sale after 300 years
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
'This is a chance to turn curiosity into conservation 'as national emergency declared
A national butterfly emergency has been declared following record-low sightings across the UK. The warning comes after Greater Manchester recorded just 6,340 butterflies and day-flying moths during last year's Big Butterfly Count. It is part of a wider decline seen across the country, according to conservation charity Butterfly Conservation. People are being asked to take part in the Big Butterfly Count (Image: Harrison Bates) The charity has described the figures as the lowest in the history of the count and part of a long-term downward trend linked to habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use. Dr Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation, said: "This is a chance to turn curiosity into conservation and make a real contribution to protecting butterflies in the UK for generations to come. "Butterflies are beautiful, yes — but they're also incredibly important bioindicators. "This means that as they continue to disappear, as they have over recent decades, it indicates something is going seriously wrong in our natural world. "We need to heed that warning and take action before it's too late." In Greater Manchester, 1,491 counts were submitted in 2024, with the Large White butterfly the most commonly recorded species. In Greater Manchester, 1,491 counts were submitted in 2024 (Image: Supplied) The Big Butterfly Count began on Friday, July 18 and continues until August 10, with Butterfly Conservation urging people of all ages and backgrounds to take part. Butterflies have declined by 80 per cent since the 1970s, and Dr Fox said their rapid response to environmental changes makes them key indicators of wider ecosystem health. Dr Fox said: "If we lose butterflies, we lose more than beauty — we lose balance in our ecosystems and that will have serious repercussions for wildlife in the UK. "Taking part in the Big Butterfly Count only takes 15 minutes and it's something everybody in Greater Manchester can do. "If you do one thing for nature this year, get out for the Count this summer. "Every count really does make a difference." READ MORE: I tried budget bakery's new upmarket sandwich - this is what I thought Popular children's author's heartfelt words after being selected for Bolton award Youngsters stepped-up to take on a challenge to help others Taking part in the count involves spending 15 minutes outdoors, recording the butterflies and day-flying moths seen during that time, and submitting the results online or via the free Big Butterfly Count app. Each sighting helps scientists track species trends and understand the effects of climate and habitat changes. Participants' data also contribute to a live, interactive biodiversity map of the UK, accessible through the Big Butterfly Count website and app. More information and resources are available at
