A team of graduate students from the University of Windsor has initiated a unique research project to monitor nocturnal bird migration across Canada in real-time. Natalie Emerick and Madison Bygrove have set up 100 acoustic recorders from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, capturing bird sounds using AI technology called Motus Audio. These recorders, equipped with microphones pointing upwards, collect and categorize the sounds of birds communicating at night.
The research aims to address the challenge of identifying and recording nocturnal bird activities, especially during migration. Emerick highlighted the significance of this project in uncovering nocturnal flight call patterns, particularly in eastern regions where such research has been limited. By leveraging advancements in tracking technology, the team can efficiently process large volumes of data collected each night.
The researchers collaborated with Canadian migration monitoring networks to strategically place the recorders, engaging both ornithologists and volunteers. One key focus of the project is studying the impact of artificial night light on bird behavior. By analyzing the calls between light and dark locations, the researchers aim to understand how birds respond to artificial light sources.
As the fall migration season approaches, Emerick and Bygrove anticipate gaining valuable insights from the data. The Motus Audio technology, initially developed for telemetry towers, now creates an “audio curtain” across Canada, providing crucial information on bird movements. Ryan Norris, an ecologist supporting the project, emphasized the importance of tracking birds in the challenging boreal forest region to monitor population trends and behaviors over time.
Despite the complexity of identifying bird species through sound recordings, the AI model has shown promising results. Norris highlighted the difficulty in distinguishing bird sounds during flight and expressed enthusiasm for exploring seasonal bird movements through the research. The ultimate goal is to use this data in conjunction with other research to address factors influencing bird population declines.