Audubon and The Nature Conservancy have partnered on a study to identify and protect critical stopover habitats in the Lake Ontario basin of New York, as well as to improve our understanding of why birds choose to stop in certain places. This past Spring we launched the pilot study, and this fall we are looking for volunteers who are strong birders to help us with the expanded fall season of this important project.
Recent studies indicate that migration is the period of highest mortality for neotropical migrant birds, and the conservation of migratory birds requires protecting a network of stopover sites, particularly in the highly-altered Lake Ontario watershed. However, there is only anecdotal information about important stopover sites, and no tool to predict where they occur. In this project, Audubon New York, TNC and other partners are developing a predictive model of stopover habitat for the NY portion of Lake Ontario's watershed, based on habitat and landscape characteristics and proximity to the lakeshore. This model is now being validated by a volunteer-based field study of migratory bird abundance and diversity. We are seeking very experienced volunteer birders in the Lake Ontario Watershed who would be available to monitor specific sites this fall. Money is available to cover volunteer travel expenses associated with this study. For more information or if you or someone you know might be interested, please contact Laura McCarthy (lmccar...@audubon.org<mailto:lmccar...@audubon.org>). Thank you! Laura McCarthy Grassroots Coordinator Audubon New York 200 Trillium Lane Albany, NY 12203 518-869-9731 lmccar...@audubon.org<mailto:lmccar...@audubon.org> [cid:image001.gif@01CA0C49.E7BA69A0]To be successful in our conservation efforts, we need your help! Sign up for Audubon Alerts and the Advisory at www.audubonaction.org/newyork<http://www.audubonaction.org/newyork> -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Temporary archive: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
<<inline: image001.gif>>
