jack pines

The rare Kirtland's warbler population is down by about 30% from the last census taken in 2021. The problem is there are not enough jack pine trees the right age to attract nesting pairs of the songbird.

Volunteers and conservation groups and agencies are in the jack pine forests this week, counting the Kirtland's warbler which almost went extinct in the 1980s because of loss of habitat.

The Kirtland’s warbler is starting its migration from Michigan to the Caribbean.By the time the song birds return to their Michigan breeding grounds next…