Towheeblog

Salem Audubon will be getting a grant from Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission to put up the first motus receiver between Eugene and Washington State. It will be used to track the movement of birds with tiny transmitters on their plumage. The Willamette Valley is rich with resident and migratory species and this receiver will overlook Pintail and Eagle Marshes, among several hotspots.

Go to motus.org to learn more about this state-of-science technology that will be so important as we try to trace the effects of climate change, habitat and conservation efforts on the birds. Our motus station and its resulting data will be part of a global effort already well developed in many regions.

Klamath Bird Observatiory (KBO) has two motus stations operating in Jackson County. Right now they are gathering data on Lewis’s Woodpeckers and Vesper Sparrows. To learn how this aids research and understanding of our feathery neighbors, watch the February birders’ night program for Salem Audubon–Feb. 8. The speaker will be a research biologist from KBO who is in charge of those motus projects, Dr. Sarah Rockwell. In early February you can find details on how to Zoom, or attend in person, on the Salem Audubon website in the Feb. newsletter.