March 12, 2025

Washtenaw is now the 15th Michigan county where chronic wasting disease has been identified in the wild deer population, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. An adult buck found acting ill in Salem Township recently tested positive for CWD.

The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which works with the DNR to identify CWD in Michigan’s wild deer herd, confirmed the CWD finding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory, in Ames, Iowa, also confirmed the test result.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, elk and moose. The disease is chronic, slow developing, and spreads slowly across the landscape. To date, CWD has also been detected in wild deer in the following Michigan counties: Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm and Ogemaw.

Prior to focused CWD surveillance in Washtenaw County, voluntary sampling between 2016 and 2019 resulted in 824 deer tested. In 2021 and 2022, focused CWD surveillance efforts were conducted to gather additional samples, and 875 more deer were tested. While this is the first positive in Washtenaw County, 39 deer in neighboring Jackson County have tested positive for CWD, through combined DNR collections and direct hunter submissions to the MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

“The expansion of chronic wasting disease to Washtenaw County is consistent with the slow spread we’ve seen throughout Michigan,” said Chad Fedewa, acting DNR deer, elk and moose management specialist. “This case was identified thanks to a resident who saw a deer that appeared ill and reported it to us. Every piece of data is valuable in helping us make science-based decisions to support Michigan’s wildlife. We are grateful that Michigan residents value deer and stay engaged in this way.” Read more

A male American Kestrel surveys the area outside a big nest box that a pair has adopted for the nesting season. Big nest boxes supplement the lack of safe, natural nesting cavities and help to reduce competition for nest sites.

A female Wood Duck perches atop a big nest box during an incubation break. You can position a big nest box for ducks near a wetland, or in the midst of a marsh.

For another level of birding fun, consider adding a big nest box to your property, or to a nearby park or nature center – with permission of course. Big nest boxes provide additional, safer nesting locations for large cavity nesting birds, including such impressive birds as Screech Owls, American Kestrels, Wood Ducks, and Hooded Mergansers. Large natural cavities suitable for these nesting birds are in especially short supply, and we can provide safer nesting options for larger cavity nesting birds by providing Big Nest Boxes with all the right features.

The larger cavity nesting birds – owls, kestrels, and ducks – primarily rely on large natural holes in tree trunks and large cavities in branches, but these are not always safe from predators like raccoons, large snakes, and tree squirrels. Large woodpecker cavities can be used by small owls and kestrels, but ducks can only use larger natural cavities that have a bigger entrance hole. Read more

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.

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

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

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

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

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