2020 Fall Migration Research Update

2020 Fall Migration Research Update

January 19, 2021

This report summarizes 2020 fall migration songbird work, ten years of monitoring on the floodplain, and results from Motus tag deployment during fall migration.

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2020 Fall Migration Research Update Tricia Rodriguez, Megan Fylling, and Joely DeSimone December 2020

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The University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab (UMBEL) conducted our tenth consecutive year of migration monitoring.

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Capturing rare and unusual species is one of the highlights of running a banding station.

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The safety of birds during the banding process is of the utmost importance.

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Collecting ten years of migration data can provide insight into the ecological connection between restoration efforts and migratory birds.

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A bird in the hand provides an opportunity to collect data otherwise impossible using other types of monitoring. One such measure, energetic condition, helps us understand whether floodplain habitats provide adequate resources -e.g., fuel for migration

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Tracking species across their entire life cycle can be a challenging endeavor.

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Four species (Dusky Flycatcher, Black- capped Chickadee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and White-crowned Sparrow) decreased slightly. Ruby-crowned Kinglets have declined more than any other species

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The avoidance of cold, wet weather is often assumed to be the driving force behind seasonal movements of birds, but food resources are the most influential factor during migration.

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In collaboration with MPG and UMBEL, Joely DeSimone (Ph.D. candidate with Dr. Creagh Breuner at UM) is studying physiology and stopover ecology during fall migration.

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One of the most exciting aspects of the Motus telemetry network is its collaborative nature. The birds we tagged in Montana can be detected by any other researcher’s Motus stations around the globe.

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Capture summary for the 2020 Fall Migration Banding Season.

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Capture summary for the 2020 Fall Migration Banding Season. 2

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