What We’ve Learned from Five Years of Golden-winged Warbler Research

Stephen Nelson, research technician at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Natural Resources Research Institute, presents “What We’ve Learned from Five Years of Golden-winged Warbler Research in Northern Minnesota” from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Lois King Education Center at the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center.

Although Golden-winged Warbler populations are declining throughout much of their range, the Minnesota population is relatively stable and supports more than 50 percent of its entire breeding population.

Studies were conducted on Golden-winged Warblers near Grand Rapids, Blackduck and Carlton in the summers from 2019 to 2023. The goal was to better understand habitat preferences during the nesting and post-fledging phases of the breeding season. The study consisted of finding Golden-winged Warbler nests through nest searching and radio telemetry. A subset of nestlings were tagged with radio transmitters and tracked daily using handheld radio telemetry once they fledged. Insect and predator surveys were also conducted throughout each study area. This information allow researchers to describe the detailed habitat requirements of fledglings and to estimate fledgling survival and predation rates. Having a detailed understanding of what these birds need to survive is essential for sustaining a healthy population of this species in Minnesota.

This is the second Friday speaker of the winter at the Lois King Education Center. No registration is required to attend this program.