A5035929810- Avian ecology and behavior
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Radio Wave Propagation Studies
- Marine animal studies overview
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Remote Sensing and LiDAR Applications
- Remote Sensing in Agriculture
- Cryospheric studies and observations
- Marine and environmental studies
- Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Plant and animal studies
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Web visibility and informetrics
- Youth Development and Social Support
- Wikis in Education and Collaboration
- Geographies of human-animal interactions
- Research Data Management Practices
- Agriculture and Rural Development Research
- Aeolian processes and effects
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
2013-2024
United States Geological Survey
2014-2024
Rocky Mountain Research (United States)
2013-2024
University of Southern Mississippi
2009-2018
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
2003
Illinois Archaeological Survey
1998-2002
University of Massachusetts Lowell
1996
Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics
1991
Basic questions about the life histories of migratory birds have confounded scientists for generations, yet we are nearing an era historic discovery as new tracking technologies make it possible to determine timing and routes increasing number bird migrations. Tracking small flying animals they travel over continental-scale distances is a difficult logistical engineering challenge. Although no system works well with all species, improvements traditional technologies, such satellite tracking,...
Wind turbines are causing unprecedented numbers of bat fatalities. Many fatalities involve tree-roosting bats, but reasons for this higher susceptibility remain unknown. To better understand behaviors associated with risk, we monitored bats at three experimentally manipulated wind in Indiana, United States, from July 29 to October 1, 2012, using thermal cameras and other methods. We observed on 993 occasions saw many behaviors, including close approaches, flight loops dives, hovering,...
Approximately two thirds of migratory songbirds in eastern North America negotiate the Gulf Mexico (GOM), where inclement weather coupled with no refueling or resting opportunities can be lethal. However, decisions made when navigating such features and their consequences remain largely unknown due to technological limitations tracking small animals over large areas. We used automated radio telemetry track three songbird species (Red-eyed Vireo, Swainson's Thrush, Wood Thrush) from coastal...
Abstract The Great Lakes and nearby agricultural midwestern United States together represent a geographical challenge to migratory land birds during flight stopover. We explored large-scale responses of encountering the as revealed by weather surveillance radars (WSR-88D) two smaller specialized radars. Those reveal comprehensive landscape- or regional-scale patterns that would otherwise have been difficult infer. Analysis radar echoes showed crossed in large numbers, although we also found...
Increasingly, data from weather surveillance radars are being used by biologists investigating the ecology and behavior of birds, insects, bats in aerosphere. Unfortunately, these quantify echoes caused layered biological targets such as migrating birds a manner that introduces bias radar measures. We investigated performance bias-adjustment algorithm adjusts measures for vertical variation reflectivity, nonstandard beam refraction, spatial displacement targets. evaluated efficacies four...
Aeroecology is an emerging scientific discipline that integrates atmospheric science, Earth geography, ecology, computer computational biology, and engineering to further the understanding of biological patterns processes. The unifying concept underlying this new transdisciplinary field study a focus on planetary boundary layer lower free atmosphere (i.e., aerosphere), diversity airborne organisms inhabit depend aerosphere for their existence. Here, we role radars radar networks in...
Many migratory bird species are declining, and the period may limit populations because of risk in traversing large geographical features during passage. Using automated radio-telemetry, we tracked 139 Swainson's thrushes ( Catharus ustulatus ) departing coastal Alabama, USA crossing Gulf Mexico to arrive Yucatan Peninsula, autumn. We estimated apparent survival examined how extrinsic (weather variables day year) intrinsic (fat load, sex age) factors influenced using a mark-recapture...
For radar aeroecology studies, the identification of type scatterer is critically important. Here, we used a random forest (RF) algorithm to develop variety classification models based on backscatter values in resolution volumes six variables (reflectivity, radial velocity, spectrum width, differential reflectivity, correlation coefficient, and phase) from seven types biological scatterers one meteorological (rain). Models that discriminated among fewer classes and/or aggregated similar into...
Radar is at the forefront for study of broad‐scale aerial movements birds, bats and insects related issues in biological conservation. techniques are especially useful investigating species which fly high altitudes, darkness, or too small applying electronic tags. Here, we present an overview radar applications conservation highlight its future possibilities. Depending on type radar, information can be gathered local‐ to continental‐scale airborne organisms their behaviour. Such data...
Offshore wind energy development (OWED), while a key strategy for reducing carbon emissions, has potential negative effects to wildlife that should be examined inform decision making and adaptive management as the industry expands. We present conceptual framework guide long-term study of birds bats from OWED. This includes focus on exposure vulnerability determinants risk. For are exposed OWED, there three main interest may impact survival productivity: 1) collision mortality, 2) behavioral...
Recording flight calls of migrating birds with one or more microphones provides information on identity some aloft over each microphone and the time course their migration, at least calling. Doppler surveillance radar observations, other hand, provide numbers sizes flying animals a wide area speeds, directions travel, height in favorable circumstances. Comparison Dickcissels (Spiza americana) from sound recording stations across south Texas spring images KBRO NEXRAD (WSR-88D) operated by...
Millions of birds die each year during migration. Most this mortality goes unobserved and conditions surrounding the actual events are often not thoroughly documented. We present a case study substantial migrant casualties along shores southwestern Lake Michigan May 1996 when we found 2,981 dead 114 species, mostly passerines. An unusual sequence allowed us to document circumstances migratory bird kill. Bird carcasses appeared on in days following storm systems that produced high rain one...
Radiotelemetry has advanced the field of wildlife biology, especially with miniaturization radio-tags. However, major limitation when radio-tagging birds is size animal to which a radio-tag can be attached. We tested how miniature radio-tags affected flight performance and behavior Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris), possibly smallest bird species that been fitted Using eyelash adhesive, we hatch-year individuals (n = 20 males, n 15 females) faux 3 sizes varied in mass antenna...
During long-distance fall migrations, nocturnally migrating Swainson's Thrushes often stop on the northern Gulf of Mexico coast before flying across Gulf. To minimize energetic costs, trans-Gulf migrants should over when they encounter crosswinds or headwinds, and depart with supportive tailwinds. However, time constrained be less selective, balancing costs headwinds benefits continuing their migrations. test hypotheses that birds select winds selectivity is mediated by seasonal constraints,...
During migration, birds require stopover habitat to rest and refuel before resuming flight. While long-distance migratory flights represent a large energy investment, accounts for roughly two-thirds of bird's total expenditure during migration. Therefore, should minimize while also minimizing time predation risk stopover. To understand activity we recorded patterns (i.e. fine-scale movements associated with range behaviors) 3 species, Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus), Swainson's Thrush...
Abstract. In the arid Southwest, migratory birds are known to use riparian stopover habitats; we know less about how migrants other habitat types during stopover. Using radar data and satellite land-cover data, determined habitats with which associated migration Bird densities differed significantly by type at all sites in least one season. parts of Arizona New Mexico upland forest supported high migrants, especially fall. Developed habitat, areas little forest, also migrants. Scrub/shrub...
The Gulf of Mexico is a conspicuous feature the Neotropical–Nearctic bird migration system. Traveling long distances across ecological barriers comes with considerable risks, and mortality associated intercontinental may be substantial, including that caused by storms or other adverse weather events. However, little, if anything, known about how migratory birds respond to disturbance‐induced changes in stopover habitat. Isolated, forested cheniere habitat along northern coast often...