Natural Resources Conservation Service

This article is unfortunately misleading and not true to the current situation in Minnesota. First, there is already plenty of successional habitat within the Golden-winged Warbler's range in the central and northern half of the state; the removal of old growth forests in favor of regenerating aspen (per the state's forest industry) have all but assured an abundance of this habitat. Second, the removal of old growth forests in favor of successional habitat is detrimental to those species that utilize only old growth habitat, which is certainly declining at a much more rapid rate than successional forests. Birds like Boreal Owl (now nearly extirpated as a breeding species), Black-backed and American Three-toed woodpeckers, and Spruce Grouse are a few birds that strictly require large tracts of old growth forest habitat, which is destroyed when successional habitat is created. As this article correctly points out, Golden-winged Warblers require old growth forest habitat for at least part of their life cycle, but again this habitat is rapidly declining as forests are cut (and therefore turned into successional habitat) in Minnesota. Third, the benefits to other wildlife are misleading. Cerulean Warblers in Minnesota require old growth deciduous forests (often near water or along river courses), a habitat that is incompatible with management for successional forests (in addition, the ranges of Cerulean and Golden-winged Warblers overlap very little in Minnesota). Indigo Buntings will certainly benefit from additional successional habitat, but this species is already abundant in Minnesota. Prairie Warblers are rarely found in Minnesota; rather, they are seen less than annually and have never bred in the state. Finally, this article fails to address the threat of encroachment by Blue-winged Warblers, the close relatives of Golden-winged Warblers that frequently hybridize with them. Because the two species share some of the same habitat requirements, including successional habitat, managing for successional habitat will likely encourage a greater rate of decline for Golden-winged populations in Minnesota as has been seen in other states. For more information, see the well researched article in The Loon, journal of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union: "Dynamic Distribution of Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera), Golden-winged Warbler (V. chrysoptera), and Their Hybrids in Minnesota" by Svingen and Hertzel, 2015.

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When it comes to sustainable forests, diversity is key. Through this project, we’re providing landowners with the tools they need to manage for early successional habitat amid forested landscapes. While golden-winged warblers need early successional habitat for breeding, they need forests of other ages for other parts of their life cycle, such as more mature forests for fledglings to feed. NRCS, the American Bird Conservancy and others are working with landowners to adopt science-based sustainable forestry practices that promote diversity and enhance habitat for many different wildlife species. Sustainable forestry increases the structural diversity within a stand and across the landscape with a goal to create a continuum of young and old forests.

Data show early successional forests (0-15 years) is on the decline, and more mature forests are on the rise in Minnesota. According to the University of Minnesota’s Department of Forest Resources, Minnesota’s forests have moved from being largely young (0 to 40 years old) in 1977 to predominantly older forest (ages 41 years plus) in 2011. Forests that are 20 years old and younger have declined from 32 percent to 18 percent from 1977 to 2011.

It’s important to point out that a landowner can manage for many types of forests on one site. For example, one part of a property may make perfect golden-winged warbler habitat while another part for cerulean warbler. NRCS is working with landowners in the Great Lakes and Appalachia Mountains regions to manage forests for both species.

Additionally, these forestry practices is unlikely to impact the mentioned birds, such as the boreal Owl, black-backed woodpecker, American three-toed woodpeckers, and spruce grouse as they are associated with coniferous forests. This project focuses only on deciduous forests.

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In Wisconsin forced logging to retain tree farm status has reduced the number of old trees. If older trees are valuable to rare species then maybe tree farmers shouldn't be forced to harvest during times of low prices. Also, due to declining paper use, maybe builder's lumber should be favored for farms willing to let the trees mature.

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You nailed it Cal. But you missed the biggest lie in the article. The title and the text both state that golden-winged warblers are declining in Minnesota. The truth is they have been stable in Minnesota in the Breeding Bird Survey counts and the Duluth NRRI counts for decades. So you've got millions of dollars being spent by out-of-state folks and a bird being lied about all to convince folks to cut down unnecessary amounts of forest. You're right to be angry Cal. There is no good justification for this mess.

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