One of Michigan’s most celebrated and well known anglers hasn’t won a bass tournament, doesn’t use a boat, and has never owned a fishing license. Yet to see it fish is truly one of Michigan’s natural wonders. Ospreys are built for fishing: long talons which serve as hooks to snatch fish from the water’s surface; long powerful wings that can easily lift a bird off the water with its prey; keen eyesight to spot fish from hundreds of yards above a lake; and a hooked beak that easily turns a whole fish into tasty morsels. 

No other bird is as well adapted for life in and around the water as the osprey.  Even the bald eagle is no match, often resorting to pirating fish from successful ospreys. 

Historical information indicates ospreys were probably widely scattered across Michigan. They required large bodies of clear water for hunting and large, typically dead, trees for nesting. The removal of large trees in Michigan began the long decline for ospreys in the state. By the 1950s they were identified as a “rare summer resident”. Then came the final blow. Hard, long lasting pesticides like DDT and other contaminants caused egg shell thinning and often led to a severe decline in population. 

Ospreys are at the top of the food web. Contaminants move up the food chain from prey species and are concentrated in these top predators. Nests in Michigan declined to just over 60 with most occurring in the Upper Peninsula. After the passage of laws eliminating DDT and other persistent pesticides, as well as clean water regulations, osprey populations slowly began to rebound. By the late 1970s the population had grown to about 70 pairs and by 1988, 167 nesting pairs were found. 

Although the recovery has continued, the expansion of ospreys into southern Michigan occurred much slower than expected. In 1998, The Nongame Wildlife fund supported a project to remove chicks from Northern Michigan nests and rear and release them at southern Michigan locations.  The first two rearing sites included Maple River Marsh north of St. Johns and Kensington Metropark near Brighton, Michigan. After four years of releases, observers began to identify some of the now adult males returning with females and nesting on artificial platforms near the release sites. 

Nests have now been established at both Maple River and Kensington with additional birds seen near the sites. An additional nest was established near Brighton on a cell phone tower. Other nest sites in southern Michigan include one on a platform at Sterling State Park. The future for ospreys appears bright. With two new sites now receiving chicks, the Department expects new territories and new nests to continue to be established. 

The southern Michigan osprey release project has been a cooperative effort of Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Huron-Clinton Metroparks, the Detroit Zoo and a number of tower-watching volunteers. The project has even spawned a group named Osprey Watch of Southeast Michigan (OWSEM).  Visit their web site at www.owsem.org.

You can help support this effort by purchasing a Critical Habitat vehicle registration plate from the Secretary of State office or by donating to the Nongame Wildlife Fund at Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 30180, Lansing, MI 48909.

   
Ospreys at the Maple River State Game Area.

Her journey began quietly as a hack box attendant helping to rear peregrine falcon chicks for release in Detroit back in 1987. Judy Yerkey was immediately hooked and became Detroit’s number one falcon supporter. In 1988 she began taking detailed observation notes on Detroit’s peregrines. Her first assignment involved a male named “Solo” and his mate “Bogey”.

Judy quickly learned that the world of wildlife is full of intrigue. Six chicks being raised to supplement the population were attacked by Solo and Bogey as they fledged from the box. Two were killed. The others were moved to sites with no established peregrine territories. Lesson one.

When asked about her observations in a 1991 interview, she said “To me, it’s a lot like watching a soap opera high in the sky with a new saga every day. I like to call it ‘As the Bird Turns.’"

For the next 16 years she became a common sight at some of Detroit’s tallest buildings. She was an important ambassador for peregrines and the Nongame Wildlife Fund. Her meticulous notes have provided a wealth of knowledge on urban peregrine behavior, movement, reproduction and food choices. She observed never before documented behavior including regular switching of mates by both male and female birds mating between adults and offspring (there goes the old mating-for-life notion), and adoption of chicks by new partners. During her tenure, Judy documented over 60 chicks being born in Southeastern Michigan.

In addition to her observation activities, Judy became an advocate for peregrines, making dozens of appearances before school classrooms and various service and outdoor groups. You could always expect to see Judy and her display at any number of events around Detroit or elsewhere in southern Michigan.

Some of her most memorable bird/couples include Solo, “her first love”; Pop and Judy, a pair that raised 19 chicks over seven years, and her “belle of the ball” Sunrise, who courted no less that 17 different males (that Judy knows of).

Judy made the decision that 2004 would be her last year and that she would hang up her clipboard and put away her pencil sharpener. She will keep her binoculars handy and maybe have a little more time to do some fun birding.

Thanks Judy, from all your friends both human and feathered for your devotion and hard work in promoting Michigan’s wildlife heritage.

Judy Yerkey observing one of Detroit's peregrines.

Kid's Corner

A pair of omnivores.

Proposed Removal of Gray Wolf from the Threatened and Endangered Species List

Representing a remarkable success story for endangered species conservation, in July the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal to remove the Eastern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of gray wolf from the list of federally threatened and endangered species. After nearly becoming extinct by the middle of the 20^th century due to human persecution, the eastern wolf population has rebounded as a result of the protections afforded under both federal and state endangered species laws.

With a large stable Minnesota population and two populations in Wisconsin and Michigan that have each exceeded 100 individuals for the past 10 years, the wolf has exceeded the federal recovery criteria for the eastern portion of its range. Additionally, protections are in place that would ensure the continued survival of the wolf population in each of these three states.

Following federal delisting, the Michigan DNR could recommend the removal of the gray wolf from the Michigan list of threatened and endangered species.  Even though the species may be removed from both lists, the DNR would continue to manage for the long-term persistence of wolves in the state.

In September, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosted public hearings in Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie and East Lansing, Michigan to receive public input on the federal delisting proposal.

Gray wolf howling.

Rayed Bean: A Candidate for Federal Listing

The rayed bean mussel (Villosa fabalis) was recently named as a candidate for the federal Threatened and Endangered Species List. This species of mussel was one of 26 new candidates nationally, but is the only one that occurs in Michigan. Candidates are unlisted species that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service believe meet the criteria for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). They include plants and animal species that will not necessarily be listed, but where evidence has demonstrated their populations are declining.

The rayed bean, already listed as endangered on Michigan’s state endangered species list, generally inhabits streams near shoal or riffle areas and has been reported to also occur in the shallow areas of lakes. Historically, the rayed bean was found in at least 106 bodies of water ranging from Ontario, Canada to Alabama and Illinois to New York. Rayed bean populations have decreased dramatically and are now only found in 22 streams and one lake. In Michigan, they are currently found at five locations within four different river systems located in the southeast part of the state. The rayed bean’s decline is primarily the result of stream habitat loss due to impoundment and channelization, alteration of streamflows due to dam operation and wetland drainage, degraded water quality from sedimentation and chemicals, and the introduction of non-native zebra mussels.

Freshwater mussels have important functional roles in their ecosystems. They remove impurities from the water as they filter it for food. Their shells provide habitat for many aquatic insects and they are an important food source for many animals such as herons, otters and egrets. Their decline is an indication of the degraded nature of our river systems.

Candidates are not protected by the ESA, but they often become the focus of conservation efforts by resource managers. Through candidate conservation the species decline may be reversed, ultimately eliminating the need for ESA protection. The eastern massasauga, declared a candidate in 1999, is the only other candidate species that occurs in Michigan.

More information on candidate species can be found at http://midwest.fws.gov/endangered.

   
The rayed bean mussel.

Southern Michigan is a landscape that can be characterized as flat with deep, rich soils that once supported diverse deciduous forests of oak, maple, beech, and ash. Bifurcating across this landscape is a network of great rivers that drained this expanse of rich, flat land. The Grand, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Saginaw, and Huron Rivers are well known names to those familiar with Michigan geography.

These rivers inherit some of the richness of the land as they carry water to the Great Lakes. Along the way, these large wetland water corridors support a diversity of animals, many of which maintain strong ties to this particular ecosystem type. Many mussels require these slow-moving waters as a part of their habitat. Mink, muskrat, beaver, and otter have followed these water courses for millennia. These wetland corridors are winter habitat for bald eagles, mergansers and goldeneye ducks.

Over eons, these rivers have slowly carved their wide forested wetland corridors on the landscape. They channel their waters down these corridors clearing the path of least resistance. The rest of this riverine corridor supports a mix of maples, ash, elm, willow and basswood. Wet soils make operation of machinery challenging. As a result, much of these corridors remain forested. This setting not only provides habitat for animals that require closed-canopy forest, but it also offers a linkage on the landscape between more distant forest blocks.

These rivers first carried humans for hunting and fur harvesting as well as for transportation between destinations. Rivers were important in carrying settlers who would develop inland. They carried logs to down-stream destinations, and they carried trade goods upstream. Now, they carry storm water and wastewater away from our cities. They carry silt in runoff from lands that have not been protected against erosion. They carry warmer water, increased nutrients, and pollutants.

Although these great rivers are glorious in their own right, we have chosen to draw them into service for ends that have little to do with their greatness. We have not drawn from many of their strengths. In so doing, the qualities that have made them great, the qualities that many species have come to depend upon, have been slipping away. Too often, these great rivers pass through the poorest parts of town and routinely escape our attention when we highlight our natural resources.

Help is coming through many small steps, often by local groups that are reconnecting with their rivers. Participating in watershed planning, river cleanups, advocating for appropriate treatment of pollutants, development of river-based parks, and redevelopment of waterfronts are all locally based contributions that build on river qualities. And local people make a difference. Isn’t it time to get to know your river?

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula had a new resident this spring. Researchers documented what is believed to be the first great gray owl nest in Michigan. The nest was discovered by wildlife biologist and nature photographer Rick Baetsen in the Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Schoolcraft County on April 29th.

Great Grey Owl. Photo by Rick Baetsen.

The great gray owl is considered the largest owl in North America, though the snowy and great horned owls are heavier and more powerful. Adult males average 28 inches in length (27 inches for females) with a wingspan up to 60 inches. The plumage is primarily dark gray with bars and flecks of light gray and white. Two white patches separated by a black “bow-tie” lie just below the facial disk. Similar to many owl species, the legs are heavily feathered and remain hidden from view. Great gray owls are low flyers, rarely reaching above 20 feet except when approaching a nest.

Great gray owls inhabit a range of forested habitats, ranging from the stunted coniferous forests along the arctic treeline to the spruce and tamarack forests further south. Most foraging occurs during early morning and late afternoon (crepuscular) in open areas such as swamps, bogs, and forest openings. Small rodents are the prey of choice, though birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects are occasionally taken.

Courtship typically begins in midwinter and involves mutual feeding and preening. Like most other owl species, great gray owls use stick nests constructed by other birds such as hawks, ravens, or crows. Nests sites are typically within a forest with a large clearing or opening nearby (with 0.8 miles.) Once selected, the owls will “refurbish” the nest with conifer needles, deer hair, moss, and other materials. Two to five eggs are laid, each separated by 1-2 days, and incubation lasts 28-29 days. While still unable to fly, young great gray owls will begin leaving the nest at 3-4 weeks, hopping and climbing around the nest tree. They will typically fledge after eight weeks but remain near the nest for several months.

Great gray owls are long-lived birds, with captive owls living up to 40 years. Mortality among wild birds is often due to starvation. Natural predators include great horned owls, marten, and wolverines in the northern parts of its range. Numerous great gray owls are also killed annually by automobiles and electrocution via power lines.

You can find more information on the great gray owl by performing a quick internet search using the keywords ‘great gray owl’. Additionally, photographs of the great gray owl and other wildlife species are available on Rick Baetsen’s website www.rickbaetsen.com.

Great gray owlet. Photo by Rick Baetsen.

Zoos Help Make Piping Plover Program a Success

The piping plover captive rearing program had another successful year in 2004, rearing and releasing 10 fledged (able to fly) chicks. This success was made possible by the participation of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). In 2004, nine AZA zoos from Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida and California sponsored 18 keepers who provided invaluable expertise for the captive rearing efforts.

Eggs were collected from abandoned nests and transported to the University of Michigan Biological Station in Pellston, Michigan. The AZA keepers then maintained the eggs in incubators at specific temperatures and humidity levels until hatching. Following hatching, the keepers moved the young plover chicks into a large box lined with sand and fed them a variety of worms and crickets. To prevent the chicks from becoming accustomed to people, the keepers provided food from behind a blind and also played a recording of plover alarm calls whenever they approached the box. The chicks were eventually moved into an outdoor enclosure where they learned to forage for themselves. Approximately 24 days after hatching, the chicks were banded for identification purposes and then released to the wild along the shores of Lake Michigan. Subsequent monitoring indicated that all 10 chicks survived following release.

Through the help of AZA and its dedicated volunteer keepers, the captive rearing program has been successful at increasing the number of fledged plover chicks each year since 1996.

Critter Quiz Answer = True, skunk oil is often used as a fixing agent so the perfume's scent will last a long time.