Tracking the Migratory Routes of Prothonotary ( Protonotaria citrea ), Cerulean ( Setophaga Cerulea ), Blackpoll ( Setophaga striata ), and Golden-Winged ( Vermivora chrysoptera ) Warblers Using ARU’s
Grace Nelson Wildlife Ecology and Management
Lanie Zellmer Wildlife Ecology and Management
Isabel Sirek Ecosystem Restoration and Management
Ava Cross-Weisbeck (Not Pictured) Natural Resources Master’s Student
Prothonotary, Cerulean, Blackpoll, and Golden-winged Warblers migrate through the Eastern portion of the United States beginning in early spring. The warblers who stay into late June tend to do so for breeding. This study aims to determine the presence of these warblers at sites across the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The data was collected using Autonomous Recording Units (ARU’s) from April 29th to June 19th, 2025. The ARU’s were placed on different sites along the Mississippi river and recorded bird calls continuously during the study period. Data was analyzed using BirdNet to determine the warblers’ arrival and departure dates and check for occupancy, as well as monitoring what sites may be used for breeding. Our goal is to learn more about these priority species of conservation concern and how ARU’s are useful in collecting data while limiting human disturbance and error. We expect to find daily occupancy for each species at the sites throughout May and June. This research could help identify warbler preferences in habitats for breeding and throughout their spring migration. In understanding when and where the warblers choose to stop throughout their migration, we can investigate why some areas have higher occupancy than others. This research also increases the understanding of ARU uses in data collection and how beneficial they can be in increasing the amount of data collected while limiting human error.
Advisors: Marie Perkins, Ph.D. Jason Riddle, Ph.D. Paul Schilke, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Wildlife
Type: Poster
90
Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
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