Project Description
Every year, more than one million Nearctic shorebirds use a handful of coastal wetlands in northwest Mexico during their non-breeding season. Despite the region’s importance for these species, for many we lack robust information about migratory patterns, arrival and departure dates, survival, and habitat use. The limitations imposed on conservation efforts by these knowledge gaps are exacerbated by global (e.g., climate change) and local threats (e.g., coastal development). This project kickstarts the use of Motus stations—a coordinated automated radio telemetry system for detecting birds carrying miniature transmitters—to monitor the movements of migratory birds at three priority wetlands in the region: Guerrero Negro, Golfo de Santa Clara, and Navopatia. It includes the installation of three stations and tracking of 30 Red Knots (Calidris canutus roselaari), one of the threatened species that most heavily relies on the Sonoran Desert coast. This infrastructure supports the implementation of several components of a communication, conservation, and research agenda that will help guide effective conservation actions. Additionally, this project provides the foundation and proof-of-concept to catalyze a larger, region-wide project to expand the Motus network in Northwest Mexico.