Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial – Bird of the Month for April

By Justin Stakes

Madison, WI -(Ammoland.com)- This month, listen for the return of the American Bittern at a wetland near you!

In 1916, the United States and Canada signed the Migratory Bird Treaty to protect birds across state and national borders. To celebrate 100 years of bird conservation, each month will feature a native Wisconsin bird species that has benefited from the protection and cooperative conservation set forth in the Migratory Bird Treaty. For more information on the Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial and other Birds of the Month, visit dnr.wi.gov, keyword “bird treaty.”

April’s Bird of the Month is the American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus). These cryptic, heron-like waterbirds once nested across Wisconsin. However, due to extensive loss of wetlands in southern parts of the state they are mainly found breeding in northern and central Wisconsin today. Protection and management of wetlands to prevent degradation and maintain large blocks of habitat in different stages of ecological succession benefit these wading birds.

Wetlands on publicly managed lands as well as private lands enrolled in programs such as the Wetland Reserve Program attract American bitterns.

• These bitterns are remarkably camouflaged and, when …Read the Rest

  Source:: AmmoLand