Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory

Midwest Migration Network

Midwest Migration Network - 2018

WGLBBO hosted the Fall 2017 meeting of the Midwest Migration Network at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve, on November 17-18.

Three breakout sessions were held:

INITIATIVE 1: BANDING & GROUND SURVEY (Leader: Mark Shieldcastle)

SUMMARY: The Banding and Ground Survey team is seeking to establish a standard protocol for migration ground surveys in the Midwest region. For this meeting, primary objectives will be to 1) present the status of the Field protocol, 2) to explain the requirements of the standardization efforts; 3) lay out the format of Training Workshops; 4) discuss data entry issues and implementation; and 5) identify additional cooperators for the initiative.

INITIATIVE 2: RADAR AND ACOUSTIC MONITORING (Leader: Jeff Buler)

SUMMARY: The radar and acoustic team is seeking is seeking to facilitate coordination among current and potential future research efforts in the Midwest.  Our objectives are to 1) provide updates on current radar and acoustic projects, 2) discuss advances in conducting radar and acoustic aeroecological studies, 3) discuss regional and national funding opportunities and identify PIs and co-PIs to prepare proposals, and 4) identify additional potential partners for engagement.

INITIATIVE 3: TELEMETRY (Leader: Chris Tonra)

SUMMARY: The telemetry team is seeking is seeking to facilitate coordination among current and potential future Motus station operators in the Midwest.  Our objectives are to: 1) create an online discussion/information sharing forum for project updates, plans, and tower operating coordination (e.g. timing of deployment), 2) discuss regional and national funding opportunities for expansion and potentially identify PIs and co-PIs to prepare proposals, and 3) identify additional potential partners for engagement. 

The Network has again been awarded funding for 2018-2019.

A Communications Subcommittee is working on plans for a MMN website.

Work is continuing on these tracks in 2018. Please check back here in the coming weeks and months for updates, and links to the website and more information.

The Midwest Migration Network

Background  

Formed in 2014, the mission of the Midwest Migration Network is to coordinate efforts of monitoring stations, research programs, and stakeholders as part of a sustainable network focused on conservation efforts needed to sustain migration of landbirds through the Midwest.

Our Goals:

  • Identify, conserve, and manage stopover sites throughout the Midwest.
  • Understand migratory movements and conserve airspace as habitat.
  • Share information and protocols to address questions at larger scales.

What are the benefits of joining the Midwest Migration Network?

  • Team up with other researchers and banding stations to answer big picture questions
  • Add value to projects by using systematic protocols
  • Share and receive guidance on sample design and other technical issues
  • Share and analyze data from a wide network of contributors through a web-based system
  • Showcase your work and its significance to bird conservation at large

For more information, visit and join the Midwest Migration Network web forum (http://midwestbirdmonitoring.ning.com/group/mwlandbirdmigration), or contact our coordinator,

Dr. Amber Roth ().