Kirtland's Warblers near Barrie

MV
Mike V.A. Burrell
Mon, Jun 13, 2022 11:40 PM

Posting for the County of Simcoe, and the Kirtland's Warbler Ontario
Working Group:

Over the last several years, several partners have been working on the
creation of habitat for the endangered Kirtland's Warbler. In what is one
of the most exciting Ontario bird conservation stories, last week, members
of the Kirtland's Warbler project team confirmed that up to five or six
males appear to be on territory at one of these sites!

Given that the Simcoe County Forest is under public ownership, access to
the Packard Tract is open. However, respect for both the birds and
neighbouring landowners is required. As an endangered species, the
Kirtland’s Warbler and its habitat are protected by federal and provincial
laws. Visitors are required to follow the posted guidelines to avoid
disturbing the birds which could cause them to abandon the site. Volunteers
from the Ontario Field Ornithologists' Rare Bird Ambassador program will be
on location to assist visitors while ensuring viewing guidelines are
respected.

Access for birders and bird photographers has been arranged beginning at 6
am Tuesday (June 14). Please read the viewing guidelines below before you
consider visiting. The birds are close to the access road and can be
observed without travelling a far distance on foot.

Volunteer rare bird ambassadors are needed for three hour time slots
starting Wednesday (we have Tuesday covered already); please consider
volunteering your time if you are planning on going. The time slots are 6
am-9 am and each three hour period after that until 6 pm. To volunteer:
-reply to this email (ambassadors@ofo.ca),
-register on the OFO website:  https://ofo25.wildapricot.org/event-4784690
-or join the OFO discord server and use the "rare bird ambassador program"
channel): https://discord.gg/npbCzXVhZ2

Kirtland’s Warbler Viewing Guidelines – Simcoe County Forest ‘Packard
Tract’; 8398 9th Line Essa Township

This site is a Canadian-first restoration effort to create breeding/nesting
habitat for the Kirtland’s Warbler, a globally rare songbird, and will
serve as a model for further conservation efforts for the species. While
the enthusiasm of the birding community is understood, the cooperation of
all is both appreciated and expected to avoid disturbing the warbler and
upsetting area residents.

Please sign the guestbook and consider supporting the conservation of
Kirtland’s Warbler through a donation.

  1. Parking:
    

a.    Drive south from Highway 90 on 9th Line Essa to the dead end (
https://goo.gl/maps/63ewojU7USpjAXwe6), turn around and park on the east
side of the road between the turnaround and the driveway to the north. This
will result in you parking on the right-hand side of the road with your
vehicle facing the exit.

b.    Please do not park in the turn-around area unless you have mobility
issues.

c.    Under no circumstance should you block traffic or park in front of
private property/driveways.

  1. No playback or vocal imitations of any kind. This includes:
    

a.    Playback of Kirtland’s Warbler vocalizations;

b.    Playback or imitations of owl calls or other sounds designed to draw
birds out;

c.    Any sounds designed to agitate or draw birds out.

  1. Stay on forest access roads and out of closed areas:
    

a.    Remain on the forest access roads that loop around the perimeter of
the site;

b.    Do not enter the area marked closed on the map posted at the site.

  1. Minimize noise and do not leave anything behind, including eaten
    

fruit which attract predators such as squirrels or foxes.

  1. Please restrict visiting to between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm from May 1
    

to September 30 Kirtland’s Warblers may be present.

Please note that the protection for the Kirtland’s Warbler, its nests, eggs
and habitat are governed by federal, provincial and municipal law.  Do not
enter the area marked closed on the map to attempt to locate nests or
census the population or for any other reason.

Federal Legislation

Species at Risk Act (SARA):

The Kirtland’s Warbler is listed as an endangered species under this Act.
It is illegal to kill, harm, harass, capture or take a Kirtland’s Warbler.
It is also illegal to possess, buy, sell or trade this species, and to
damage or destroy its residence.

Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA):

As a migratory bird, the Kirtland’s Warbler receives protection under this
Act.

It is illegal to be in possession of, to buy and sell, or to willfully
destroy or disturb a migratory bird, its nest, or its eggs.

Provincial Legislation

Ontario Endangered Species Act (ESA):

The Kirtland’s Warbler is listed as endangered under this Act.

The ESA prohibits killing, harming, harassing, capturing, taking,
possessing, collecting, buying, selling, leasing, or trading any endangered
or threatened species.

It is illegal to damage or destroy the habitat of an endangered or
threatened species.

Municipal Legislation

County of Simcoe Forest Recreation By-law #6753

This by-law governs activities permitted within the Simcoe County Forest.
It is a violation of this by-law to disobey a posted sign within the County
Forest.

PRESS RELEASE

See the County of Simcoe's press release for more information about this
exciting news:

https://www.simcoe.ca/CorporateCommunications/Pages/kirtland%E2%80%99s-warbler-makes-appearance-during-simcoe-county-forest-100th-anniversary-22-6-13.aspx

Posting for the County of Simcoe, and the Kirtland's Warbler Ontario Working Group: Over the last several years, several partners have been working on the creation of habitat for the endangered Kirtland's Warbler. In what is one of the most exciting Ontario bird conservation stories, last week, members of the Kirtland's Warbler project team confirmed that up to five or six males appear to be on territory at one of these sites! Given that the Simcoe County Forest is under public ownership, access to the Packard Tract is open. However, respect for both the birds and neighbouring landowners is required. As an endangered species, the Kirtland’s Warbler and its habitat are protected by federal and provincial laws. Visitors are required to follow the posted guidelines to avoid disturbing the birds which could cause them to abandon the site. Volunteers from the Ontario Field Ornithologists' Rare Bird Ambassador program will be on location to assist visitors while ensuring viewing guidelines are respected. Access for birders and bird photographers has been arranged beginning at 6 am Tuesday (June 14). Please read the viewing guidelines below before you consider visiting. The birds are close to the access road and can be observed without travelling a far distance on foot. Volunteer rare bird ambassadors are needed for three hour time slots starting Wednesday (we have Tuesday covered already); please consider volunteering your time if you are planning on going. The time slots are 6 am-9 am and each three hour period after that until 6 pm. To volunteer: -reply to this email (ambassadors@ofo.ca), -register on the OFO website: https://ofo25.wildapricot.org/event-4784690 -or join the OFO discord server and use the "rare bird ambassador program" channel): https://discord.gg/npbCzXVhZ2 ***Kirtland’s Warbler Viewing Guidelines – Simcoe County Forest ‘Packard Tract’; 8398 9th Line Essa Township*** This site is a Canadian-first restoration effort to create breeding/nesting habitat for the Kirtland’s Warbler, a globally rare songbird, and will serve as a model for further conservation efforts for the species. While the enthusiasm of the birding community is understood, the cooperation of all is both appreciated and expected to avoid disturbing the warbler and upsetting area residents. Please sign the guestbook and consider supporting the conservation of Kirtland’s Warbler through a donation. 1. Parking: a. Drive south from Highway 90 on 9th Line Essa to the dead end ( https://goo.gl/maps/63ewojU7USpjAXwe6), turn around and park on the east side of the road between the turnaround and the driveway to the north. This will result in you parking on the right-hand side of the road with your vehicle facing the exit. b. Please do not park in the turn-around area unless you have mobility issues. c. Under no circumstance should you block traffic or park in front of private property/driveways. 2. No playback or vocal imitations of any kind. This includes: a. Playback of Kirtland’s Warbler vocalizations; b. Playback or imitations of owl calls or other sounds designed to draw birds out; c. Any sounds designed to agitate or draw birds out. 3. Stay on forest access roads and out of closed areas: a. Remain on the forest access roads that loop around the perimeter of the site; b. Do not enter the area marked closed on the map posted at the site. 4. Minimize noise and do not leave anything behind, including eaten fruit which attract predators such as squirrels or foxes. 5. Please restrict visiting to between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm from May 1 to September 30 Kirtland’s Warblers may be present. Please note that the protection for the Kirtland’s Warbler, its nests, eggs and habitat are governed by federal, provincial and municipal law. Do not enter the area marked closed on the map to attempt to locate nests or census the population or for any other reason. Federal Legislation Species at Risk Act (SARA): The Kirtland’s Warbler is listed as an endangered species under this Act. It is illegal to kill, harm, harass, capture or take a Kirtland’s Warbler. It is also illegal to possess, buy, sell or trade this species, and to damage or destroy its residence. Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA): As a migratory bird, the Kirtland’s Warbler receives protection under this Act. It is illegal to be in possession of, to buy and sell, or to willfully destroy or disturb a migratory bird, its nest, or its eggs. Provincial Legislation Ontario Endangered Species Act (ESA): The Kirtland’s Warbler is listed as endangered under this Act. The ESA prohibits killing, harming, harassing, capturing, taking, possessing, collecting, buying, selling, leasing, or trading any endangered or threatened species. It is illegal to damage or destroy the habitat of an endangered or threatened species. Municipal Legislation County of Simcoe Forest Recreation By-law #6753 This by-law governs activities permitted within the Simcoe County Forest. It is a violation of this by-law to disobey a posted sign within the County Forest. ***PRESS RELEASE*** See the County of Simcoe's press release for more information about this exciting news: https://www.simcoe.ca/CorporateCommunications/Pages/kirtland%E2%80%99s-warbler-makes-appearance-during-simcoe-county-forest-100th-anniversary-22-6-13.aspx