Our February 11 speaker, Krissy Kondrat of the Arizona Department of Game and Fish, coordinates projects that are expanding the Motus Wildlife Tracking System in Arizona. This exciting new technology is rapidly adding to our knowledge of migratory animals, especially birds. Desert Rivers Audubon Society is partnering with the Town of Gilbert to build a station in the riparian preserve.
Recent advancements in Motus technology have significantly enhanced researchers’ ability to track bird movements over varying distances and extended timeframes. Transmitters in Motus tags are being attached to the back of migratory birds. Receiving stations detect the signals emitted by the tags, which play a crucial role in migration studies and research on the movements of breeding and resident bird species.
While there exists a robust network of Motus stations in the eastern United States, the development of this infrastructure in western states, including Arizona, has progressed more slowly. Fortunately, recent collaborations among state, federal, and nonprofit organizations – including our project with Gilbert – have aimed at improving this infrastructure.
Chrissy is an active member of the Arizona ornithological community. In her role with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, she serves as a biologist responsible for the issuance of scientific research permits for the state’s wildlife; assists with the facilitation of Arizona Bird Conservation Initiative monitoring projects; is involved with the management of a new banding station on the Hassayampa River, the MOTUS AZ Network and species-specific projects (such as with Bendire’s and LeConte’s Thrashers). Additionally, she enjoys being involved with a number of citizen science projects.
We meet at the Southeast Regional Library, on the corner of Guadalupe and Greenfield Roads, Gilbert. Come at 6:00 to chat with friends and shop at our bookstore. The speaker will begin at 7.
If you cannot attend in person the speaker also will be available live on Zoom. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
