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USGS Arid Lands Field Station: Bird migration patterns in the arid southwest Objectives: (1) Determine how migrant density varies regionally across the southwest; (2) determine habitat preferences or associations exhibited by migrants during stopover in the southwest and how these patterns of habitat use may be shaped by regional variations in migrant density; (3) determine to what extent ground clutter might limit our ability to make habitat-migrant associations in mountainous terrain; (4) determine how migrant height distributions vary across the southwest; (5) determine how migrant directions of travel vary across the southwest; (6) determine how the preceding patterns vary seasonally and/or annually; (7) use weather surveillance radar data to test regional variation in migrant density, habitat-migrant associations, and regional variation in migrant height distribution and velocity. Project Description: This project uses Doppler weather surveillance radar to document bird migration patterns in the desert southwest, including information on migrant density, migrant-habitat associations, height, and direction, as well as temporal and geographic variation in these factors. The project will also document the limitations in using weather radar data to address these questions. The information produced by this project will be valuable to resource managers in protecting migratory birds and conserving habitat, as well as conducting regulatory activities (e.g., siting and permitting of facilities posing threat to migratory birds). Contact: |