TECHNOLOGY

Wildlife watchers are beginning to understand the advantages that FLIR offers when trying to find and observe nocturnal creatures. The compact, lightweight yet very capable Scout TK by industry leader FLIR Systems, Inc. offers an entry-level peek into the world of thermal imaging for around $600.

A new website created by American Bird Conservancy and The Pennsylvania State University's Center for Environmental Informatics directs information helpful in reducing bycatch of seabirds to fishermen, conservationists, and those promoting fishery sustainability.

Merlin Bird Photo ID, developed by the Visipedia research project in collaboration with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and available for free at AllAboutBirds.org/photoID, is capable of recognizing 400 of the mostly commonly encountered birds in the United States and Canada.

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System's Southwest Region Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) initiative are using a relatively new technology, light detection and ranging, or LiDAR, to aid in protection and restoration of endangered bird species habitat- specifically the golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireos.