Kirtland's Warbler Breeding Range Conservation Plan
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Kirtland’s Warbler Breeding Range Conservation Plan Kirtland’s Warbler photo by Dan Kennedy, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Developed by: Michigan Department of Natural Resources US Fish and Wildlife Service US Forest Service September 08, 2015 Page 1 Setpember 8, 2015 Kirtland’s Warbler Breeding Range Conservation Plan A. Table of Contents A. Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 7 A.1. Purpose of the plan ............................................................................................................7 B. Background ....................................................................................................................... 8 B.1. The Jack Pine Ecosystem ....................................................................................................9 B.1.1. Ecology ................................................................................................................................ 9 B.1.2. Social ................................................................................................................................... 9 B.1.3. Economics ........................................................................................................................... 9 B.2. Kirtland’s Warbler Biology and Ecology ............................................................................. 10 B.2.1. Life History ........................................................................................................................ 10 B.2.2. Population Status .............................................................................................................. 14 B.2.3. Species Distribution .......................................................................................................... 15 B.2.4. Habitat Characteristics ...................................................................................................... 17 B.3. Past Breeding Ground Conservation Efforts ..................................................................... 18 B.3.1. Manage Breeding Habitat ................................................................................................. 19 B.3.2. Prevent Brown-headed Cowbird Nest Parasitism ............................................................ 20 B.3.3. Minimize Land Use Conflicts ............................................................................................. 21 B.3.4. Maintain Public Awareness and Support .......................................................................... 22 B.3.5. Maintain Sustainable Agency Funding .............................................................................. 23 B.3.6. Adaptive Management .................................................................................................... 24 B.3.7. Track and Respond Appropriately to Emerging Threats: Climate Change ....................... 26 C. Kirtland’s Warbler Management Goal, Objectives and Actions...................................... 28 C.1. GOAL: .............................................................................................................................. 28 C.1.1. Manage Kirtland’s Warbler Breeding Habitat ................................................................... 29 C.1.2. Manage Cowbird Parasitism ............................................................................................. 31 C.1.3. Minimize Land Use Activities and Associated Conflicts .................................................... 31 C.1.4. Maintain Public Awareness and Support .......................................................................... 32 C.1.5. Maintain Sustainable Funding .......................................................................................... 32 C.1.6. Adaptive Management ..................................................................................................... 33 D. Kirtland’s Warbler Habitat Management Guidance ....................................................... 34 D.1. The Framework for Developing Breeding Habitat .............................................................. 35 D.2. Management of Public Lands ........................................................................................... 36 D.2.1. The US Fish and Wildlife Service ....................................................................................... 37 D.2.2. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources ............................................................ 37 D.2.3. The US Forest Service ....................................................................................................... 37 D.3. Habitat Development ...................................................................................................... 38 D.4. Distribution of Breeding Habitat ...................................................................................... 39 D.5. Treatment Block Design .................................................................................................. 40 D.5.1. Background ....................................................................................................................... 40 D.5.2. Treatment Block Design .................................................................................................... 40 D.6. Managing Burned Areas ................................................................................................... 41 D.7. Adaptive Management..................................................................................................... 42 Page 2 September 8, 2015 Kirtland’s Warbler Breeding Range Conservation Plan D.8. Management Using Timber Harvest .................................................................................. 42 D.8.1. Clearcutting ....................................................................................................................... 43 D.8.2. Seed Tree/Shelterwood .................................................................................................... 43 D.8.3. Providing for Habitat Structure and Diversity................................................................... 44 D.8.4. Management Considerations for Other Animal and Plant Species .................................. 44 D.8.5. Non-native Invasive Species ............................................................................................. 46 D.9. Reforestation ................................................................................................................... 46 D.9.1. Site Preparation ................................................................................................................ 46 D.9.2. Planting ............................................................................................................................ 46 D.9.3. Seeding .............................................................................................................................. 47 D.9.4. Natural Regeneration ....................................................................................................... 47 D.9.5. Stocking Surveys .............................................................................................................. 48 D.10. Prescribed Burning .......................................................................................................... 48 D.11. Management of Private Lands .......................................................................................... 49 D.12. Management of Military Lands ......................................................................................... 49 D.13. Land Acquisition and Exchange ......................................................................................... 49 D.14. Consolidation of FWS Kirtland’s Warbler Wildlife Management Area Lands ....................... 49 D.15. Protection of the Kirtland’s Warbler and Its Habitat .......................................................... 50 D.15.1. Habitat Closures ................................................................................................................ 50 D.15.2. Bird Watching ................................................................................................................... 50 D.15.3. Recreational Trails and Associated Developments .......................................................... 51 D.15.4. Special Events .................................................................................................................. 51 D.15.5. Wind Turbines, Towers and Other Developments ........................................................... 51 D.15.6. Right-of-way Maintenance ............................................................................................... 51 D.15.7. Mineral Development ...................................................................................................... 51 D.16. Land Management Considerations ................................................................................... 52 D.16.1. Wildfire Suppression ......................................................................................................... 52 D.16.2. Fuelbreaks ......................................................................................................................... 53 D.16.3. Insect and Disease Control ............................................................................................... 53 D.16.4. Timber Harvest and Reforestation Activities Adjacent to Occupied