April 16 Kirtland's Warbler Program
The Kirtland’s Warbler, which breeds almost exclusively in Michigan and winters almost exclusively in the Bahamas, was delisted in 2019 after being listed as federally endangered since 1972. Intensive habitat work on its breeding grounds, including jack-pine management and control of a nest parasite, the Brown-headed Cowbird, has led to recovery from as few as approximately 170 pairs to approximately 2,000 pairs. Research and capacity building on the Bahamian wintering grounds have focused conservation efforts on the island nation. Tonight's presentation will focus on the natural history of the Kirtland’s Warbler, actions taken for this remarkable recovery, and future work that will be needed to ensure the species does not become endangered again.
Dave Ewert is a Conservation Specialist for the American Bird Conservancy. He primarily works on conservation of the Kirtland’s Warbler, especially in the Bahamas. He also has focused on protection of stopover sites for migratory birds in the Great Lakes region, and Great Lakes coastline and island protection. Previously Dave led Science Programs of the Michigan and Iowa Chapters of The Nature Conservancy where he worked on fire management, invasive species, forest management and other topics. He also served as a scientist for the Great Lakes region.
Dr. Ewert was an Assistant Professor at Central Michigan University prior to working with The Nature Conservancy. He received his B.S. from the University of Michigan, and M.S. and Ph.D. from the City University of New York. He has conducted research widely throughout the West Indies and Central and South America.
Social time begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Loutit Library, 407 Columbus Avenue, Grand Haven. The program runs from 6:30-8:00. We hope you can join us!
April 20 Howard Christensen Field Trip
The Howard Christensen Nature Center, 16190 Red Pine Drive, is several miles east of Muskegon in Kent County (northeast of Kent City; north of Sparta). If you take Apple Avenue (M-46) to Casnovia, continue east on 18 Mile Road about five miles, then turn left (north) onto Red Pine Drive and drive not-quite-two miles up to the nature center entrance on your right.
We will meet Greg Swanson. (a member of our club and a longtime nature interpreter at the nature center) at the Welcome Center at 9:00 a.m. He will lead us through various habitats on some of the many miles of easy-walking, groomed trails on the property. This trip will end around noon.
Dress for the weather, which we hope will be pleasant. We hope to see many birds of many species on this Saturday morning walk. We hope to see you too!
