Bird Studies Canada is proud to be involved in one of the most comprehensive studies of migratory birds ever undertaken in Canada. The MOTUS Wildlife Tracking System will enable researchers to track the real-time movements of radio-tagged birds (as well as bats and insects) with unprecedented precision.

This spring, researchers are deploying over 200 automated radio telemetry stations in southern Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Each station can detect and track radio-tags within a range of roughly 20 km.

Other project partners are setting up smaller temporary arrays along the U.S. eastern seaboard, in western Canada, and on Hudson and James Bay. Ultimately, a network of automated telemetry arrays will be established throughout the Americas, giving researchers a better understanding of how flying migratory animals use and move through the landscape. Their findings will support informed, ecologically sound wildlife management, policy, and regulation decisions.

The MOTUS Wildlife Tracking System is a joint project of Bird Studies Canada, Western University, Acadia University, and the University of Guelph. We gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of many individual landowners. Major funding support is provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Environment Canada, and the partner organizations.

http://www.bsc-eoc.org