Google Earth Community: using Google Earth to study Bird Migration

Received from the Klamath Bird Observatory

Dear Group,

In the last 12 months I have started using Google Earth to create
visualizations of our migratory bird research and monitoring efforts
in Google Earth. In the next 12 months I would like to develop a
program that could be adapted for the classroom or the general public
to better understand the movements of migratory birds and the
importance of conserving habitats.

What is so exciting about linking migratory birds and Google Earth is
that most of us in the northern hemisphere right now can look out our
windows each day and see migrants arriving to our yards and feeders.
Soon these birds will begin to nest in our neighborhoods, parks, and
wild places. Many people may take these birds for granted and some
even wonder where they come from and where they go.

My research involves using stable isotopes found in feathers to create
linkages with where birds grow their feathers. Some birds grow their
feathers all in one place (either breeding or wintering grounds) or
some in both places. A few even grow feathers while stopping over in
really good habitats between the breeding and wintering grounds. In
addition, we use banding to mark individual birds with the hopes that
they will be found somewhere further south. Linking the breeding and
wintering grounds not only helps to complete our understanding of a
bird's ecology, but links us through the birds in our neighborhoods to
far off places like Mexico, Costa Rica, and Peru.

There are lots of GIS layers available to describe the ranges of birds
seasonally, habitats, and even migratory pathways. The big question is
how to take our data, the existing GIS layers, and Google Earth to
create an exciting story that can be taken into the classroom or
explored on your desktop at home.

Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated.

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