HawkWatch International Raptor Migration Studies--Technical Reports Available On-line

HawkWatch International technical reports summarizing the 2001 fall raptor migration monitoring season at ten study sites are now available on-line at www.hawkwatch.org.

HawkWatch International (PRWEB) May 11, 2002 -supported 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to monitoring and protecting hawks, eagles, other birds of prey, and their environment through research, education, and conservation. HWI focuses on birds of prey because they are magnificent, graceful creatures, and also because they are valuable environmental barometers. As top-level predators, raptors are sensitive to changes in anything further down the food chain. Therefore, by monitoring their populations, harmful environmental changes can be identified and addressed early.

Since 1977, HWI has developed an extensive network of 16 raptor-migration monitoring sites in ten states and Mexico, largely focused in western North America. HWIs research centers on long-term studies designed to monitor the status and trends of raptor populations, identify threats to raptors and their habitats, and help develop raptor-friendly strategies for managing ecosystems. HWI is also employing cutting-edge technologies, such as satellite telemetry, stable-isotope analysis, and contaminant and genetic assessments to increase our knowledge of raptor ecology and conservation needs.

For the first time, technical reports summarizing the 2001 fall raptor-migration monitoring season at ten HWI study sites in Arizona, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Texas, and Washington are available on-line in PDF format. Visit HWI on the web at www.hawkwatch.org to read or download the reports.

Also available are updated satellite telemetry maps, and complete tabular count data for the 2001 fall migration.