Saturday, May 31, 2014

How valuable are endangered species?

Birding is currently the second fastest growing hobby in the United States after gardening, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. In 2011, there were 47 million birdwatchers (birders) ages 16 or older in the United States, making up roughly 20 percent of the nation’s population. Birders spent an estimated $41 billion on trip related expenditures and equipment, added $107 billion dollars to the economy,supported 666,000 jobs and generated $6 billion in State tax revenue and $7 billion in Federal tax revenue.

This is no ordinary bird. It is exclusive to the USA, in Michigan and Wisconsin's Jack Pine Forests. It is endangered because of lack of habitat. 

The Kirtland's warbler, (click here) an endangered species, is a songbird that nests in young jack pine stands. Until 1995 Kirtland’s warblers had only been known to nest in the northern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Today, they also nest in the Upper Peninsula, and since 2007, have nested in Wisconsin and Canada. They migrate from their nesting grounds to the southeastern coast of the United States on their way to wintering grounds in the Bahamas. 

They are very illusive and birders from all over the world come to visit them in the USA. One of the reasons they are elusive is because it is only the male that sings. Those responsible for the recovery of these birds maintain a count based on how many singing males are counted and doubling it assuming they all have mates.

Field Marks
Bluish gray above, streaked with black; yellow below, with black spots or streaks confined to the sides. Male has a blackish mask. Female is grayer, lacks mask. In autumn, browner. Persistently jerks tail; no other gray-backed warbler does this.