The Patterns of Maine's Migratory Breeding Birds

Over the past 22 years, Herb Wilson has been coordinating a citizen-science project to monitor the spring-time arrival of more than 100 species of migratory breeding birds that nest in Maine. This research has provided insight into the timing of migratory arrivals over different parts of the state. The data are also relevant to monitoring the impacts of global climate change. Using data from the turn of the 20th century, he has examined how arrival dates have changed over the past 100 years. Year-to-year variability in spring-time temperatures and variability in the North Atlantic Oscillation influence the arrival of migratory birds. Some groups of birds are more responsive to this interannual variability. In the lecture, Wilson will summarize the findings of this volunteer-based research project.