Avian Tracking System to be Built in the Gallatin Valley
From Sacajawea Audubon Society
04/14/2025
Contact: Doug McSpadden, 406.599.6735 dougmcspadden@sacajaweaaudubon.org
Summary: There is a collaborative plan to construct three Motus receiving stations (towers) in Gallatin Valley to track bird species at risk, and migratory birds.
BOZEMAN – Sacajawea Audubon Society (SAS) has partnered with American Bird Conservancy and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks to fund and construct three receiver stations that would become part of an international avian tracking system in the Western Hemisphere.
The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is an international collaboration that uses miniaturized radio transmitters to track birds, bats and even insects across Canada, The United States, Mexico, and Central and South America to gain a better understanding of migrations and movements. This data provides researchers and managers with a better understanding of critical flyways and habitat so they can identify root causes of decline and take action. There are over 70 species of songbirds in North America that have lost 50% or more of their population since 1970.
“Currently, there are 37 receiving stations (towers) in Montana. The towers can be fixed or movable and they look like old-school TV antennas”, says SAS Board Member, Doug McSpadden. The strategy in Montana is to create radio telemetry “fences”; one across Montana’s Hi-line and another along the Yellowstone River extending over to Dillon. The objective is to fill a tracking gap between the Yellowstone and Jefferson Rivers.
The SAS goal is to raise $40,000. These funds will cover the cost of three Motus towers, the long-term maintenance of the system, and to purchase radio transmitter “tags”. One tower will be located near the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve to help collect data for the wetland and along the East Bozeman drainage. This will provide educational opportunities for the public to engage in science and conservation happening at Indreland Audubon Preserve on the open source Motus website.
For more information visit the SAS website https://sacajaweaaudubon.org/motus-towers/ or the tracking system page at motus.org.
Interested parties can donate to this project through the SAS website, or through Give Big on May 1 and 2 at https://www.givebiggv.org/organizations/sacajawea-audubon-society
View the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve on eBird
