For Friends of Malheur, projects like this reflect the best kind of partnership: science, education, and public engagement working together to support conservation. With each new MOTUS installation, we gain a better understanding of the birds that depend on the Refuge and a better way to share that story with the community
This system uses antennas to listen for messages from special radio tags that have been attached to wildlife by researchers all over the world. Different size tags can be attached to birds, bats or even insects.
As the structure rose, students reflected on the teamwork and effort that made the project possible. Burns High School student Triston DeCroo shared, ‘everyone involved worked really hard to make the platform.” This sentiment was echoed throughout the group.
As we worked on the new nest, one of the ferruginous hawks flew over and watched us for a few minutes. They have not been seen on the new platform yet but nesting starts in mid February. Let’s hope they accept the invitation to nest above the coyotes this year.
This fall, the Friends took a keen interest in the plight of these birds and sought a realistic, long-term solution. It took some doing, and the support of a major donor, but plans are now underway for the construction of a new nesting platform that will be installed mid-December.
