Episode 4: "The Mystery of the Migrant"

How do you know what the migratory path of a bird is? Well, you track it, of course! But the problem with the Hudsonian Godwit is that it can't be tracked the traditional way with a little GPS backpack type tracking device. So Nathan Senner came up with a new way of mapping migration, using a light sensor data logger that attaches to the Godwit's leg!

Through this new method, Nathan has discovered that two godwit populations, one from Churchill, Manitoba, the other from Beluga, Alaska, have different migratory routes and behaviours! He is also looking at the mismatch hypothesis (remember this from episode 1?) and chick survival.

Nathan's work will also help in the conservation efforts of the Hudsonian Godwit, but I'll let him tell you all about that when you listen to the episode!

Hey, if you see a tagged Hudsonian Godwit, go to ebird.org to fill out a form and help out with Nathan's study!

For more info you can go to Nate's work on Crossing Boundaries, the Cornell Blog of Ornithology - RoundRobin, or for more info about godwits, go to allaboutbirds.org.