Kirtlands Warbler Wildlife Refuge

Contact: kirtlandswarblerrefuge@fws.gov
Phone: 906-586-9851

The Kirtland's Warbler Refuge is located throughout 8 counties in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. It is the only known nesting area of one of the world's rarest birds, its namesake, the Kirtland's warbler. Seney National Wildlife Refuge is responsible for land management of 119 separate tracts totaling 6,684 acres.

The Kirtland's warbler nests primarily in young jack pine forest growing on Grayling sand. This soil type is found only in a few counties in northern lower Michigan. The warblers prefer to nest in forests that are about 80 acres or larger with numerous small, grassy openings. Kirtland's warblers prefer to nest in groups. They build their nests only on the ground among grass or other plants like blueberries. Jack pine trees in the warblers' nesting area must be about 5 to 16 feet tall and spaced to let sunlight reach the ground. The sunlight keeps the lower branches alive and bushy, hiding the Kirtland's warbler nests beneath them. When the trees grow larger, their upper branches block the sun and the lower branches die. Grasses and other plants become less dense. The warblers then cease use of the area.

The refuge is managed by staff at Seney National Wildlife Refuge, in Seney, MI.