Kirtland warbler

The Kirtland warbler may be taken off the endangered spices list. The Kirtland warbler is unique bird found in Michigan. In fact the only place the Kirtland warbler will bread is in Northern Michigan

Kirtland warblers will only breed in Jake Pine stands of at least 80 acres with trees 5 to 20 feet tall. They build nest on the ground beneath low hanging branches. Strangely Kirtland warblers will not nest in Jake Pine stands that are taller then 20 feet.

In the past this was not a problem because of the frequent forest fires in Michigan most Jake Pine stands were not fully grown meaning more breading grounds for the warblers.

However during the last 100 years or so Forest Fires in Michigan have been put out early resulting in mature Jake Pine stands that stand well over 20 feet. Which the Kirtland warbler will not breed in.

Nowadays the U.S. forest Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources manage about 190,000 acres of warbler habitat. Mature stands are logged and millions of seedlings planted each year.

At one point in the 1980’s there were less then 500 Kirtland warblers. Last year around 3500 warblers were counted.

The return of the Kirtland warbler warms the heart of any nature lover such as myself.

Finch-fighting rings

Finch-fighting rings are popping up across the United States. Authorities busted too such rings last month.

People place bets while they watch the birds kill each other. Much like dog fighting and rooster fighting.

Finch are tinny little song birds from South America. In nature finch don’t fight too the death. But like any animal when their caged and frightened they will fight for their survival.

Anyone who can participate in animal blood sport should be considered a dangerous person.

Polar Bears are a relatively new Bear species

Polar Bears are relatively new arrivals on the evolutionary scene. After studying the DNA from a 120,000 year old Polar Bear, researchers have discovered that Polar Bears split from Brown Bears around 150,000 years ago. That was in the late Pleistocene just before the end of the ice age.

The species that was too become polar bears may have been adapting too the opening of new habitats and food sources in the interglacial period.

Michigan's bottle return program works

In Michigan we have a 10cent deposit on most soft drink bottles and cans. Most beer bottles and cans also have a 10cent deposit.

This is how it works
When you buy a soda you also have too pay a deposit of 10 cents. After you finished your soda you bring the can back too the store and get your 10 cents back.

Michigan bottle deposit program has been a huge success. No one in Michigan throws out there soda cans. Which keeps all that material out of our landfills.

I wish more states would start there own bottle deposit programs.

Glacier National Park Is Melting

Glacier National Park in Montana is down to 26 glaciers from 150 in 1850. By 2020 the park is expected to be ice free. Think about that in ten years there may not be any glaciers in Glacier National Park!

In fact studies from both hemispheres indicate that 95% of the worlds alpine glaciers excluding Antarctica are retreating.

Global Warming is real and it’s effects are being felt right now.

President Obama wants too clean up the Great Lakes

President Obama’s 2011 budget requests $300 million too continue an environmental restoration program of the Great Lakes.

The Program eventually calls for spending more then 20 billion for a wide ranging cleanup of the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes have been damaged by industrial pollutants, farm runoff and many invasive species.

I’m glad we have a president who understands the important of restoring the health of the Great Lakes.