The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is a collaborative network of over 1,600 automated radio-telemetry receiving stations located across North and South America, from the Canadian Arctic to Southern Chile, with others across the world. These stations detect the signals of tagged animals near the station, and these detections are then sent to a central database. The Motus network is especially useful to understand the ecology and movements of migratory species. Organisms tagged include over 300 species of birds, bats, monarchs, dragonflies, bumble bees, turtles, lizards, and more. The research possibilities leveraging this new and expanding technology are nearly endless.
SSRS has played a critical role in the growth of the Motus network across the west. Led by Research Director, Mary Whitfield, and Senior Biologist, Pat Lorch, SSRS is actively involved in both the planning and the building of Motus stations all over California. We have installed over 20 stations throughout California, with over 20 more contracted to be completed soon. SSRS built some of the first stations in California, and we have assisted others in learning how to build stations and use this technology. Additionally, we have taught Motus tagging workshops so researchers can learn how to safely deploy Motus tags on birds.
SSRS is working actively with the Partners In Flight Western Working Group (PIF WWG) on the Western Motus Initiative to expand the Motus network in Western North, South, and Central America. Despite the successes of Motus research throughout the existing network, there are notable gaps across the western portions of North and South America. Because of this, the primary mission of the Western Motus Initiative is to expand the use of automated telemetry technology to provide information on western birds needed to develop effective conservation actions within the next decade. Every day, more tagged wildlife is being picked up by this ever-growing network of stations. The new information being gained with every new station and passing day is tremendous.
SSRS works with several organizations focused on expanding bird conservation efforts in Mexico, and in Central and South America. For example, we have helped organizations like Pronatura Noreste AC to purchase equipment that is difficult to find outside of the United States. This has allowed a significant expansion of Motus in Mexico.
SSRS will continue to build Motus stations and help expand the Motus network infrastructure across the west for many years. Even as California gains better coverage, New Mexico and Arizona, where our satellite offices are located, have very few stations (see the Motus.org receiver map for more details). One of our research goals is to expand coverage in key habitats in these states. In addition to building new stations, we have begun expanding our research by tagging key species of interest (e.g., Western Yellow-billed Cuckoos) and developing methods for analyzing the large amounts of data collected by the Motus. In doing so we can begin to leverage the power of the Motus network and gain information that is important to conserve species and habitats of concern.
Would you like to be a part of expanding the Motus network throughout the west.
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We are currently writing several research proposals that leverage and expand the Motus network to address areas that we have identified as critical research needs. One tool that we are testing that can significantly expand how Motus can be used for tracking tagged animals at smaller spatial scales are ground nodes. These can be installed in a grid and used to triangulate tag locations within the grid. Tracking animals at this spatial scale can allow us to better understand smaller scale movements and habitat preferences. As we expand into these new areas of research, we are always looking for funding opportunities. Please contact us if you are interested in funding this new and cutting edge work, or know someone who is!
Credit: Edwin Jacobo.
Objectives
Short-term objectives include building the network within the west to fill critical information gaps for priority species and expanding the partnership to include bats and insects. The following areas of study are needed for most land birds and shorebirds:
- Arrival and departure times on breeding grounds
- Overwinter survival
- Stopover duration
- Regional and site level stopover and molt-migrant fidelity
- Post-fledging survival and dispersal
- Breeding habitat use
Long-term objectives include filling spatial gaps in the array, ensuring the longevity of the network, and meeting research needs at large spatial or temporal scales. Future areas of study include: (1) migratory connectivity, (2) migratory timing, movements, and their relationship to climate, and (3) movements on wintering grounds.
Join us
Please join us or join a local Motus coordinators group (https://motus.org/get-involved/) to help support one of the largest migratory animal conservation science and research initiatives in the world. In addition to helping with research on animal movements, this is an opportunity for outreach, education, and collaboration with people throughout the Americas.
