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 Table of Contents A. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 A.1. Purpose of the plan ............................................................................................................1 B. Background .................................................................................................................... 2 B.1. The Jack Pine Ecosystem ....................................................................................................3 Ecology ................................................................................................................................ 3 Social ................................................................................................................................... 3 Economics ........................................................................................................................... 3 B.2. Kirtland’s Warbler Biology and Ecology ...............................................................................4 Life History .......................................................................................................................... 4 Population Status ................................................................................................................ 8 Species Distribution ............................................................................................................ 9 Habitat Characteristics ...................................................................................................... 11 B.3. Past Breeding Ground Conservation Efforts ...................................................................... 12 Manage Breeding Habitat ................................................................................................. 12 Prevent Brown-headed Cowbird Nest Parasitism ............................................................ 14 Minimize Land Use Conflicts ............................................................................................. 15 Maintain Public Awareness and Support .......................................................................... 16 Maintain Sustainable Agency Funding .............................................................................. 17 Adaptive Management ..................................................................................................... 18 Track and Respond Appropriately to Emerging Threats: Climate Change ....................... 19 C. Kirtland’s Warbler Management Goal, Objectives and Actions...................................... 21 C.1. GOAL ............................................................................................................................... 21 Manage Kirtland’s Warbler Breeding Habitat ................................................................... 22 Manage Cowbird Parasitism ............................................................................................. 24 Minimize Land Use Activities and Associated Conflicts .................................................... 24 Maintain Public Awareness and Support .......................................................................... 25 Maintain Sustainable Funding .......................................................................................... 25 Adaptive Management ..................................................................................................... 26 D. Kirtland’s Warbler Habitat Management Guidance ....................................................... 28 D.1. The Framework for Developing Breeding Habitat .............................................................. 28 D.2. Management of Public Lands ........................................................................................... 29 The US Fish and Wildlife Service ....................................................................................... 30 The Michigan Department of Natural Resources ............................................................. 30 The US Forest Service ....................................................................................................... 30 D.3. Habitat Development ....................................................................................................... 31 D.4. Distribution of Breeding Habitat ....................................................................................... 32 D.5. Treatment Block Design ................................................................................................... 33 Background ....................................................................................................................... 33 Treatment Block Design .................................................................................................... 33 D.6. Managing Burned Areas ................................................................................................... 34 D.7. Adaptive Management..................................................................................................... 35 D.8. Management Using Timber Harvest .................................................................................. 35 Clearcutting ....................................................................................................................... 36 Seed Tree/Shelterwood .................................................................................................... 36 General Silvicultural Considerations ................................................................................. 36 Providing for Habitat Structure and Diversity................................................................... 37 Management Considerations for Other Animal and Plant Species .................................. 37 Non-native Invasive Species ............................................................................................. 39 D.9. Reforestation ................................................................................................................... 39 Site Preparation ................................................................................................................ 39 Planting ............................................................................................................................. 39 Seeding .............................................................................................................................. 40 Natural Regeneration ....................................................................................................... 40 Stocking Surveys ............................................................................................................... 41 D.10. Prescribed Burning ........................................................................................................... 41 D.11. Management of Private Lands .......................................................................................... 42 D.12. Management of Military Lands ......................................................................................... 42 D.13. Land Acquisition and Exchange ......................................................................................... 42 D.14. Consolidation of FWS Kirtland’s Warbler Wildlife Management Area Lands ....................... 42 D.15. Protection of the Kirtland’s Warbler and Its Habitat .......................................................... 43 Habitat Closures ................................................................................................................ 43 Bird Watching ................................................................................................................... 43 Recreational Trails and Associated Developments ........................................................... 44 Special Events ................................................................................................................... 44 Wind Turbines, Towers and Other Developments ........................................................... 44 Right-of-way Maintenance ............................................................................................... 44 Mineral Development ....................................................................................................... 44 D.16. Land Management Considerations ................................................................................... 45 Wildfire Suppression ......................................................................................................... 45 Fuelbreaks ......................................................................................................................... 46 Insect and Disease Control ............................................................................................... 46 Timber Harvest and Reforestation Activities Adjacent to Occupied Habitat ................... 46 Prescribed Burning Adjacent to Occupied Habitat ........................................................... 47 Non-native Invasive Species ............................................................................................. 47 Kirtland’s Warblers on Private Lands ...............................................................................