Godwits on the Go

Using Satellite Technology to Track Migrating Marbled Godwits

Like many shorebirds, Marbled Godwits have conservation scientists worried. These medium-sized shorebirds migrate from the southern coastal U.S. and Mexico to breed on the northern Great Plains and other sites in the U.S. and Canada. Categorized as a species of high concern in both the U.S. and Canadian Shorebird Conservation Plans, the species was identified as the focus for an international shorebird conservation effort by the Marbled Godwit Working Group. This group comprises scientists from agencies and organizations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, including the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Scientists and managers need information about the routes these birds follow, their stopover sites, and where they breed in order to protect areas critical to the birds’ survival. The Working Group expects satellite technology to provide such data.

In April 2006, USGS scientist Adrian Farmer and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) biologist Bridget Olson began fitting Marbled Godwits captured at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, north of the Great Salt Lake in Utah, with lightweight, solar-powered satellite transmitters. Following release, the first two birds proceeded north, one to Saskatchewan (“Sassy”), the other to Alberta (“Berta”). The two have been tracked steadily since then. Two other godwits were fitted with transmitters in August 2006, and more will be added within the next year.

Report Marbled Godwit sightings: If you see a Marbled Godwit with an antenna extending from its back or with bright colored leg bands with large numbers, please report the time of sighting, specific location, and band color and alphanumeric code, if visible, to Bridget Olson at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (contact information at right).

This site provides frequently updated maps of the outfitted birds’ whereabouts. To see where they are (or where they have been), Select a bird from the list:

Godwit Mapper Maps are available for the following Marbled Godwits: 70541 75688 75689 80795 84207 84208 Leggers