Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

Sign Up to Receive Prescribed Burn Updates in Your Inbox

GW:  Never had the nerve…

Fire experts within the DNR occasionally plan strategic fires called prescribed burns to manage the ecosystem on state lands. These burns help control invasive species, improve wildlife habitat, promote healthy forests and grasslands, and reduce wildfire fuel.

Our stewardship team, comprised of foresters, wildlife biologists and other natural resources experts, develop detailed burn plans, ensuring responsible habitat management and enhanced recreational opportunities.

This means you may notice fire activity when visiting or driving by a state park this spring and summer. To sign up to receive prescribed burn updates in your inbox, visit the DNR’s Prescribed Fire page.

The “Prescribed Burns” story map – including stories, photos and videos – takes a detailed look at how prescribed burns work.

Wildlife

New Video Shows Collaring of Latest Mexican Wolf Population Count

On Monday, March 3, 2025, it was announced that the latest (end-of-year 2024) population census of Mexican wolves had increased for the ninth straight year, to a record 286 wolves in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico.

To get a glimpse of the numerous activities that take place during the wolf count, including counting techniques, affixing radio collars, processing/health check, and release, see this video by David Majure of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s video production section:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaQnEdYOPpA Read more

Wildlife

BirdCast Migration Monitoring Online

Most birds migrate at night, which leaves us somewhat “blind” to the action. BirdCast programs fill in a lot of information on local and national levels using high-tech sources developed especially with birders in mind (Canvasbacks on the move by Paul Konrad).
This BirdCast live bird migration radar map shows the migration intensity at 12:30am early Monday morning, while the second BirdCast map below shows bird migration action at 8pm Monday evening (both images courtesy of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology).

Each spring and fall modern birders benefit from a package of 4 futuristic versions of online equipment with which we can glean information about bird migration night after night across the Lower 48 States. BirdCast provides an exceptional experience to monitor ongoing migrations each night and review migrations for any spring night flight, even alerting you to what species you can expect to see locally day by day. A favorite among the 4 webpages is the real-time migration analysis maps that show intensities of nocturnal bird migration as detected by the US weather surveillance radar network. Read more

Wildlife

Attract Rare Birds

Article by Paul Konrad

Perhaps the rarest sighting of a Red-flanked Bluetail in a backyard took place in Whiting, New Jersey, far from the species’ Asian range (photo by Thomas Gibson).
A recent surprise sighting of a Yellow Grosbeak visiting a feeding station at a ranch near Berryville, Arkansas established a First State Record for that species (photo by Johanna Beam).
While you can’t plan to attract a rare bird to your yard, you stand the best chance of attracting an off-course species by providing a variety of foods and fresh water daily. This male Calliope Hummingbird was photographed at the nectar feeder in the author’s yard, photos that documented it as the Fourth State Record (photo by Paul Konrad).

Stay Alert: It’s that time of year when new birds filter north, appearing outside your windows, foraging in your trees and on your lawn, or flying straight to your feeding station or a birdbath. New migrants will continue to appear this week through early June, and that’s expected each year; but there is another level of birding excitement that could suddenly appear in dramatic fashion – a rare bird, so rare that you may not be familiar with it at first sight. “What’s that bird?!” Well, it could be a super-surprising Yellow Grosbeak at your feeder, or a Redwing among a flock of robins, or a Red-flanked Bluetail on a nearby perch in the company of juncos! Read more

Wildlife

Mexican Wolf Population Grows for Ninth Consecutive Year

2024 population survey revealed a minimum of 286 Mexican wolves distributed across Arizona and New Mexico

The wild population of Mexican wolves saw another year of growth in 2024, according to the results of the annual census.

The 2024 population survey revealed a minimum of 286 Mexican wolves distributed across Arizona and New Mexico. This increase marks the ninth consecutive year of population growth, the longest continuous streak since recovery efforts began.

The 2024 minimum count represents an 11% increase from the minimum of 257 wolves counted in 2023. Survey results show the population is distributed with a minimum of 162 wolves in New Mexico and 124 in Arizona. Read more

Wildlife

Utah Seeks Information After 11 Raptor Species Illegally Killed

Utah Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officers are seeking information from the public after several raptor species, including hawks and owls, were illegally killed in southern Utah over the last several months.

Between December and February, 11 birds have been shot and killed in and around Manderfield and Greenville in Beaver County. Natural Resources officers determined the birds were all killed with a firearm. Some of the birds appeared to have been shot out of their roosts, while others were shot inside of barns.

“Based on witness reports, it is believed that individuals are shooting raptors from their resting locations at nighttime, and those involved have even trespassed on private property and shot within close proximity to homes during these incidents,” Natural Resources Officer Jeremy Butler said.

All raptors are protected by state and federal regulations, and it is illegal to kill these bird species. The individual involved in killing these birds could face a third-degree felony. Read more

Poachers, Wildlife

Finding the Right Birdhouse

The ultimate goal of adding a new birdhouse is to have a native cavity nesting bird like this male Eastern Bluebird bringing nesting material to begin the nesting season (photos by BestNest).
The “Cedar Bluebird House” is one of the best examples of a nest box that we have seen. It has all the details to make it a preferred product, including a unique clear plastic viewing window inside the side panel that opens and allows you to easily monitor nest box activities periodically.
A NestWatch graphic showing the nest entrance hole diameters for a variety of native cavity nesting birds. NestWatch is an excellent information source about nest boxes, birdhouses, and the birds that use them.

Expanding on last week’s article about building birdhouses for cavity nesting birds, this week we will be providing some basic information about selecting a nest box (birdhouse) for the cavity nesting birds you wish to attract to your yard and benefit during the upcoming nesting season. There are a lot of birdhouses available on the market, at department stores, hardware stores, online, and other outlets, but many of these products don’t meet some of the basic requirements of a good birdhouse. That’s where this article can help you look a little deeper what makes a standard birdhouse. Read more

Wildlife

Protection of Michigan’s Woods and Waters Starts With You

National Invasive Species Awareness Week, Feb. 24-28, a great time to learn more, commit to year-round action

Invasive species are a growing problem in Michigan and the U.S. During National Invasive Species Awareness Week (Feb. 24 – 28, 2025), Michigan’s Invasive Species Program is joining efforts across all 50 states to encourage everyone to take action to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful plants, animals and diseases.

Michigan’s Invasive Species Program is cooperatively implemented by the Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Natural Resources. Read more

Wildlife

Attention Bear Hunters, A Bear ID Course Required to Hunt in 2025

Bear ID course is available online and must be completed before bear hunting.

Effective Jan. 1, anyone hunting black bears in Idaho must show proof that they have passed a bear identification test to help them differentiate between grizzly bears and black bears. Both grizzly bears and black bears reside in portions of Idaho, so it is important to know their physical differences. Grizzlies are federally protected in Idaho, so there is no hunting season for them.

Brush up on your bear ID before taking the test

There are several physical features that can help you tell the difference between grizzly bears and black bears. No one feature alone should be used to determine which species of bear it is. Rather, a combination of features is most useful. Color and size are not reliable indicators. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Love State Parks and Trails? Apply for Committee and Workgroup Vacancies

If you are a fan of Michigan state parks and trails and have always wanted to add your voice to the discussion that shapes them, consider applying by mid-March for vacancies on three key advisory bodies that work with the DNR.

  • Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee

The DNR is accepting applications for an opening on the 12-member Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee. Volunteers serve terms of up to four years and meet six times a year virtually or at locations around the state. The ideal candidate will be a resident of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The committee advises and makes recommendation to the DNR on state parks policy and provides guidance on state park development, management, stewardship, funding and planning.

If interested, Read more

Wildlife
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