STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Birds from more than two dozen countries fly through Staten Island during migration, according to a new first-of-its-kind digital tracker that maps the flight of hundreds of migratory paths across the United States.
The collaborative effort, completed by the National Audubon Society and nine partner organizations, combines data from 458 bird species that breed in the U.S. and Canada and presents an unprecedented look at the extent of migration patterns that span across hemispheres.
The Bird Migration Explorer tool also presents the conservation challenges birds face during their journeys — from light pollution to power lines — to encourage international cooperation in conserving the species.
“People have always been curious and amazed by migratory birds and their incredible journeys, but only recently are scientists piecing together the full picture of how these birds travel from one end of the globe to the other,” said Dr. Jill Deppe, senior director of Audubon’s Migratory Bird Initiative, the founding organization of the Bird Migration Explorer, in a release.
A collection of tracking data and more than 500 studies from researchers and institutions were used to help create the mapper, which can be filtered to specific geographic areas.
Users can learn about specific species, see their unique paths and see the time it takes for an individual bird to make its way through a migration.
By searching a location — like Staten Island — the tool shows countries connected to geographic areas. Birds from Venezuela, Paraguay, Guyana and dozens of other countries pass through the borough each year, according to the explorer.
More than 300 individual bird species migrate through Staten Island, the mapper shows, underscoring the vibrancy and diversity of species throughout the borough.
Here’s an explainer on how to use the tool.
“We’re in a golden age of bird migration research and technology, and by consolidating all of these data into one interactive platform, we can better understand which places can have the biggest impact to help migratory birds,” said Melanie Smith, director of the Bird Migration Explorer for Audubon’s Migratory Bird Initiative.
“The unprecedented volume and integration of the Bird Migration Explorer’s data can lead to better conservation efforts and results,” said Smith.
Numerous locations on Staten Island are known to local birders as hotspots for activity, especially during peak migration periods.
However, the new tool globalizes the extent birds travel and helps underscore the significant challenges they consistently face. In New York City alone, light pollution and building collisions cause devastating impacts to birds traveling through the five boroughs.
“The most effective migratory bird conservation efforts are informed by the best-available science, engage local communities, and are supported by partners and governments across their migratory ranges,” said Marshall Johnson, chief conservation officer for the National Audubon Society.
“The Bird Migration Explorer makes it plain to see how connected we are by these incredible birds,” added Johnson. “It’s clearer than ever that we have a collective responsibility and opportunity across the hemisphere to protect these birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow.”
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October 03, 2022 at 01:24AM
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New interactive map shows bird migration journeys through Staten Island, NYC - SILive.com
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