New on Montana eBird: Tracking Montana’s Grassland Birds
New on Montana eBird from our partners at the University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab (UMBEL)- Tracking Montana’s Grassland Birds: Research and Restoration in the Bitterroot Valley
The University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab has been monitoring nests and tagging birds in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, studying the relationship between habitat management and songbird populations on the MPG Ranch near Florence, Montana. Grassland bird populations across the country are in steep decline as grassland habitats are lost, but MPG Ranch has been optimizing their existing grassland habitat by planting mixes of beneficial plant species. Through nest monitoring, mist-netting and banding, and deploying Motus tags, UMBEL has been working to understand the relationship between habitat management and songbird populations.
UMBEL’s work at MPG is helping to understand some of the challenges these birds are facing in western Montana, while providing valuable information on the effectiveness of grassland restoration efforts.
Read the full post on the Montana eBird website: Tracking Montana’s Grassland Birds