A new study confirms that most birds synchronize their migratory movements with seasonal changes in greening vegetation. Expansive plant green-up in the spring is controlled by changes in temperature and precipitation; while during fall die-back of vegetation is controlled by temperature change and reduced hours of daylight – all important factors in the timing of bird migrations. This was the first study of its kind to cover the Western Hemisphere during the year-long cycle of North American migratory birds that feed on plants, seeds, flower nectar, insects, or meat.

Ornithologists from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology used data collected by satellites to estimate the greenness of vegetation year-round and cross-referenced that information with eBird observations for 230 North American migratory bird species from 2006 through 2018. The results were published today in the Journal of Animal Ecology.

”As you might expect, migration synchronization with vegetation greenness is strongest for birds that eat vegetation, seeds, or both, during spring and fall migration, but especially during spring,” explained lead researcher Frank La Sorte with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “You could say they follow the ‘green wave’ north in the spring, then follow it in reverse during the fall, keeping pace with a wave that is retreating ahead of the North American winter.” Read more

Planning to take advantage of nice weather to get rid of fall leaves and yard debris? The warm, dry fall weather also means the fire risk is higher than usual.

With the lack of rainfall in the state over the past week, grasses and leaves have become dry. This weather pattern is expected to continue through the weekend. Read more

Even though the weather has gotten cooler, black bears are still active throughout the fall as they prepare for hibernation and search for foods rich in calories to build up their fat reserves.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources advises northern Michigan residents to be aware of this autumn bear activity and take steps to avoid conflicts with bears.

In Michigan, bears typically enter their dens for hibernation by December, but timing can vary depending on food availability. Read more

The Michigan departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development recently confirmed the presence of invasive mile-a-minute weed(Persicaria perfoliata) at Albion College’s Whitehouse Nature Center in Calhoun County.

What is mile-a-minute weed?Mile-a-minute weed is an annual vine that gets its name from its ability to grow up to 6 inches per day, or 25 feet in six to eight weeks. Its light green leaves are shaped like equilateral triangles, and both the stems and leaf blades are lined with small, recurved barbs that help it climb over other vegetationWhy is it a problem?The vine’s fast growth and climbing habit allow it to overtake native and landscape vegetation, eventually smothering plants and trees under dense, prickly thickets. Because of the risk to Michigan’s Christmas tree farms, reforestation projects and habitat restoration areas and the plant’s limited distribution, mile-a-minute weed is on the state’s invasive species watch list.How did mile-a-minute weed get here? Read more

CUSTER, S.D. – The 2020 Custer State Park Fall Classic Bison Auction will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the park’s visitor center where 436 head will be available for sale.

This year’s offerings include 10 mature bred cows, 69 mature open cows, 5 two-year-old bred heifers, 12 open two-year-old heifers, 41 yearling heifers, 66 heifer calves, 138 bull calves, 81 yearling bulls, 6 two-year-old breeding bulls and 8 two-year-old grade bulls.

The video and online auction will begin at 10 a.m. MDT at the Custer State Park visitor center, located 15 miles east of Custer on Highway 16A, near the junction of the Wildlife Loop Road and Highway 16A.

The internet auction, going on its ninth year, has helped reach buyers who wouldn’t have been reached in the past.

“An online auction allows people from all over the country to participate,” noted Chad Kremer, bison herd manager. “Having a video auction rather than a live auction also reduces the stress on the buffalo and expedites the entire process.” Read more

As part of the implementation of its managed public land strategy adopted in late 2018, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been reviewing and revising – and now is seeking public input on – dedicated project boundaries around state forests, game and wildlife areas, parks and recreation areas.

BLOOMINGTON, MN– More than 45 years after gray wolves were first listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Trump Administration and its many conservation partners are announcing the successful recovery of the gray wolf and its delisting from the ESA. U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt was at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge to announce that state and tribal wildlife management agency professionals will resume responsibility for sustainable management and protection of delisted gray wolves in states with gray wolf populations, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) monitors the species for five years to ensure the continued success of the species.

The Service based its final determination solely on the best scientific and commercial data available, a thorough analysis of threats and how they have been alleviated and the ongoing commitment and proven track record of states and tribes to continue managing for healthy wolf populations once delisted. This analysis includes the latest information about the wolf’s current and historical distribution in the contiguous United States

“Today’s action reflects the Trump Administration’s continued commitment to species conservation based on the parameters of the law and the best scientific and commercial data available,” said Secretary Bernhardt. “After more than 45 years as a listed species, the gray wolf has exceeded all conservation goals for recovery. Today’s announcement simply reflects the determination that this species is neither a threatened nor endangered species based on the specific factors Congress has laid out in the law.”

In total, the gray wolf population in the lower 48 states is more than 6,000 wolves, greatly exceeding the combined recovery goals for the Northern Rocky Mountains and Western Great Lakes populations.

The gray wolf is the latest in a strong list of ESA recoveries that includes the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, American alligator, brown pelican and 48 other species of animals and plants in U.S. states, territories and waters. Countless more have improved or stabilized. Collectively, these successes demonstrate that the ESA can make a difference for imperiled species. Read more