Smith: Wisconsin's prairie chicken population remains low but stable and faces a new threat
As in recent years, most birds were documented at Buena Vista Wildlife Area in Portage County
Paul A. SmithThe latest Wisconsin survey of greater prairie chickens found the population of the threatened species remains low but relatively stable in its three primary remaining breeding areas.
Two-hundred sixty four male prairie chickens were counted in spring 2023 as they gathered on booming grounds in central Wisconsin, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
The birds were detected on 33 traditional breeding sites spread across the public properties where the species persists, mostly at Beuna Vista, Leola and Paul Olson state wildlife areas.
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Buena Vista had the most prairie chickens counted, 175, down from 208 in 2022 but up from the average of 142 over the previous 10 years.
Paul Olson was second, with 65 males counted, up from 63 the previous year but down from the 10-year average of 80.
Leola had 23 birds, up from 10 in 2022 and level with the average over the last decade.
One cock was also seen in 2023 at Mead Wildife Area, a site that had none in 2022 but as recently as 2019 hosted 12 males.
It is feared Mead, similar to other historical Wisconsin prairie chicken breeding grounds such as McMillan and Dewey wildlife areas, will fail to host prairie chickens into the future.
Overall, the 2023 survey was on par with recent years, said Lesa Kardash, DNR wildlife biologist who compiles the annual report.
The annual survey is conducted by the DNR with assists from partners and volunteers.
Prairie chickens are losing grassland habitat in Wisconsin
The goal of the work is to provide an annual index of the population to inform the DNR as it makes management decisions. Counters travel in spring to booming grounds, also known as leks, to record the number of males and determine the distribution of the birds.
The annual counts are subject to variability, including from weather, so the longer-term trends are considered most valuable when assessing the population, Kardash said.
As the name implies, prairie chickens live in open, grassy areas. The species was historically found throughout Wisconsin but as acreage was developed for agriculture, subdivisions and other human uses and as forests have expanded in recent decades, the bird's required habitat has become rarer.
As the grasslands dwindled, so did the number of prairie chickens. By the middle 20th century the species' decline attracted the attention of famed conservationists Frederick and Frances Hamerstrom.
The Hamerstroms' work from 1948-72 highlighted the need to protect the species' habitat if the bird was to survive in Wisconsin.
The species also received a big assist from the work of Milwaukeeans Dory Vallier and Willis Sullivan, founders of the Society of Tympanuchus Cupido Pinnatus.
Preservation society and Dane County Conservation League have donated land and money
The Society of Tympanuchus Cupido Pinnatus and Dane County Conservation League purchased more than 12,000 acres in central Wisconsin, including Buena Vista, and donated the land to the state.
The Dane County Conservation League remains a valuable partner to the DNR; in 2023 the nonprofit organization made a $100,000 donation to the department to help the agency purchase a skid steer. The equipment is already in use cutting woody brush and trees, Kardash said.
In addition to dwindling habitat the prairie chicken in Wisconsin is challenged by a loss of genetic diversity. With cooperation from Minnesota officials and The Nature Conservancy, the DNR imported 110 hen prairie chickens between 2006 and 2009 and released them in central Wisconsin.
The introduced birds provided only temporary improvement in the genetic diversity, according to biologists.
An additional potential threat, a large solar farm proposed for private land in Portage County, has also concerned the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and other conservationists. The DNR is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed 8,500-acre project. The Public Service Commission has until January to make a decision on the proposal.
One positive of the last year is no prairie chicken in Wisconsin was diagnosed with the highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, that has killed millions of wild and domestic birds in the U.S.
Kardash said the state's prairie chickens seemed to make it through the mild, relatively snowless winter in decent shape. Now as the 2024 breeding season gets underway, the immediate concern is drought.
"The birds need grass for nesting and rearing cover," Kardash said. "And when the chicks are born they need insects to feed on. All of those things would benefit if we get a good amount of rain to alleviate the dry conditions we're in."
To read the full 2023 prairie chicken survey, visit dnr.wi.gov.
Wisconsin Prairie Chicken Festival coming in April
The 2024 Wisconsin Prairie Chicken Festival will be held in April at sites in Portage County. All events are free and open to the public.
On April 8 two showings (1:30 and 6 p.m.) of "Carbon Cowboys" will be held at McMillan Memorial Library, 490 E. Grand Ave., Wisconsin Rapids.
On April 13 five presentations, including a prairie chicken update by the DNR's Lesa Kardash, as well as educational booths, children's events and a silent auction will be held at Eron Event Barn, 3471 County Rd. C, Stevens Point. The presentations are scheduled from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
And at 3 p.m. April 13 George Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation, will give the festival's keynote presentation at McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids. Archibald's presentation is underwritten in part by the Hamerstrom Fund for Writing at the Incourage Foundation of South Wood County.
For more information visit wisprairiechickens.org.