Though nothing is brewing specifically at the moment, the revival of bird song this week (how welcome!) has revived thoughts of the fight over whether Michigan's "official bird" should remain the robin or be changed to the chickadee or Kirtland's warbler. Sure, not the world's most earth-shattering issue, but it's a relief from some that are.
Here are the reasons Michigan Audubon Society offers for the Kirtland's warbler, and they're great ones.
IT ONLY NESTS IN MICHIGAN. NO MICHIGAN, NO KIRTLAND’S WARBLER.
IT IS THE RAREST WARBLER IN NORTH AMERICA.
THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT AND THE MICHIGAN HABITAT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SAVED THE WARBLER. IT IS A MODEL FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES ALL OVER THE WORLD.
THE HABITAT PROGRAM HELPS SUSTAIN MICHIGAN’S FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
IT ENCOURAGES TOURIST TRAVEL TO MICHIGAN.
http://www.michiganaudubon.org/kirtlands/state_bird.html
Posted by Dave at March 4, 2005 10:59 AM