Tropical Audubon Society

South Florida’s Voice of Conservation

I already have Kirtland's for the year. It's so February....

Hopefully, local birders who lack the "narcissist" gene will step forward and volunteer for this worthwhile project . . .

Hey, I'm right here. I heard that.

On a more serious note, one question this survey could answer, if enough birds are found, is what type of habitat they use during migration. We know what their breeding and wintering habitats are like, as we do for many other species of migrants. However, are Kirtland's like other warbler that use a variety of habitats, or are they more specific in their stopover sites? The Kirtland's this past February was found in habitat very similar to where they winter in the Bahamas. That plus the timing supports the theory that this bird could have wintered here. If Kirtland's are found during migration using a variety of habitats, that would support, although not prove, that the Kirtland's at Baggs was a wintering bird. I would suggest that Baggs be looked over very carefully next winter to see if this bird returns. That would be a real story if we were to have a wintering site for Kirtland's here in South Florida. OK, am I being narcissist again? Darn!

That's EXACTLY the kind of question this survey is hoping to answer! Here's what the project protocol (http://ebird.org/content/ebird/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/Kirtlands-Warbler-Migration-Blitz-2017-protocol.pdf) says about that question: "Currently, we do not know much about the habitat types used by Kirtland’s Warblers
during migration. Our expectation is that they use young, short-stature forests with structure similar to their breeding and wintering habitats. We are focusing our sampling efforts on scrub habitats, secondary-growth forests, and regenerating coniferous forests, but Kirtland’s Warblers could be found in almost any habitat!
FLORIDA: After spending the winter in The Bahamas, Kirtland’s Warblers will make their first landfall in Florida. In Florida, we will focus on scrub habitats, and regenerating stands of coniferous forests. Individuals have also been observed along the coast, but we’re hoping to get a better understanding of the inland habitats they use while migrating through Florida."

I feel that it is important to highlight the excerpt below, seeing as how many of the world's most endangered and beloved migratory birds are in trouble due to lack of protection of key stopover sites (Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Orange-bellied Parrot, etc). A very worthwhile data collection effort to make sure Kirtland's Warbler populations continue to rebound:

"Now, we need your help to find the critically important stopover areas. Although the Kirtland’s Warbler populations are recovering, global climate change and human development are increasingly threatening the species during other times of the year, such as on their wintering grounds and during migration. Recent research suggests that about 40% of all Kirtland’s Warbler mortality occurs during either spring or fall migration, and this could hamper the success of management efforts on breeding areas. To lower mortality rates during migration, we need to first identify key resting and refueling stopover sites that Kirtland’s use during migration. This is where we need you!"

Also of note is that a Kirtland's Warbler was seen in Cuba this winter (February 23) as well!

http://www.birdscaribbean.org/2017/03/first-photographic-record-of-kirtlands-warbler-in-cuba/