y library j 
^ Wilson Journal 
of Ornithology 
Published by the Wilson Ornithological Society 
VOL. 123, NO. 2 June 2011 PAGES 199-428 
The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 123(2): 199-205, 2011 
CHARACTERISTICS OF A RED PINE PLANTATION OCCUPIED BY 
KIRTLAND’S WARBLERS IN WISCONSIN 
NICHOLAS M. ANICH, 1,2,7 JOEL A. TRICK, 1 2 3 
KIM M. GRVELES, 4 AND JENNIFER L. GOYETTE 56 
ABSTRACT.—We studied a newly established population of Kirtland's Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii ) in Adams 
County, Wisconsin, nesting in a red pine (Pirns resinosa) plantation. We found eight males and five females in Adams 
County in 2008 and 10 males and 10 females in 2009. Five of seven (71%) males color-banded in 2008 returned in 2009, 
and at least eight successful nests produced an estimated 33 young over the 2 years. Red pine comprised 66.9% of trees on 
the main site, 20.6% were northern pin oak/blaek oak {Quercus eliipsoidalis/Q. ve/uillia), and 12.5% were jack pine (Finns 
banksiana). Total tree density at the main site was 1.876 trees/ha, lower than generally reported in Michigan. Percent 
canopy cover and ground cover types were similar to Michigan sites. Lowest live branch height of jack pine was similar to 
Michigan sites, but lowest live brunches of red pine at our site were closer to the forest door. Significant red pine.die-off at 
our site combined with substantial natural jack pine recruitment created a landscape matrix of openings and thickets that 
produced suitable Kirllund's Warhler habitat. We suggest young red pine-dominated plantations should be searched when 
surveying for Kirtland’s Warblers as some lower-density red pine plantations could provide important supplemental habitat 
as the species expands its range. Received K April 2010. Accepted II November 2010. 
Kirtland's Warbler ( Dendroica kirtlandii) is a 
habitat specialist that typically breeds in young 
jack pine ( Pinas banksiana ) on sandy soils. It is a 
1 2414 Fellman Circle, Ashland. WI 54806. USA. 
2 Current address: Wisconsin Department of Natural 
Resources. 2501 Golf Course Road. Ashland. WI 54806. 
USA. 
‘U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2661 Scott Tower 
Drive. New Franken. WI 54229, USA. 
J Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. P. O. Box 
7921. Madison. WI 53707. USA. 
'Cofrin Center for Biodiversity. Department of Natural 
and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. 
Green Bay. WI 54311, USA. 
"Current address: BioDivcrsity Research Institute. 9 
Flaggy Meadow Road, Gorham. ME 04038, USA. 
’Corresponding author; e-mail: 
nicholas.m.anich @gmail.com 
ground-nester that often exhibits breeding site 
fidelity and has a tendency to settle in aggrega¬ 
tions rather than disperse widely throughout 
suitable habitat (Mayfield I960). The only known 
breeding locality until 1995 was in several 
counties in the northern Lower Peninsula of 
Michigan (Mayfield 1992). This species is 
federally endangered because of its small popu¬ 
lation size, limited range, and persistent threats. 
Decennial censuses showed a 60% decline 
between 1961 and 1971, likely due to Brown¬ 
headed Cowbird (Molothms ater ) parasitism and 
dwindling suitable habitat (Mayfield 1972). Forest 
management and cowbird removal at the primary 
breeding site in Michigan helped reverse the 
population decline, and small numbers of Kirt- 
land s Warblers have nested in the Upper 
199 
