The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation is now using GPS technology to study the migratory patterns of waterfowl.
The project, in partnership with 50 Ducks, a private company out of Georgia, and the University of Windsor will explore how artificial light affects the behaviour and movements of ducks and geese.
Executive Director of the Jack Miner Bird Foundation Matthew Olewski says this is a continuation of the 115 year tradition of bird banding at Jack Miners.
“We will know exactly where our ducks and where our geese are flying, resting, nesting and migrating. It will allow us to have a better sense of how human activity impacts wildlife,” said Olewski.
The birds’ migratory flight and other information will also be made available to educators throughout North America to engage youth in environmental conservation practices.
“We’re going to load it into schools, into retirement homes, give people a better understanding of conservation, a better understanding of wildlife migration and a better understanding of the things that we do that affect all those things that happen,” said Joe Vermeulen, director of parks at Jack Miners Bird Sanctuary.
All of the information will be available through the 50 Ducks website. Owner Greer Smith said this has been a passion project for him and he is happy to see if take off with the help of Jack Miner and the University of Windsor.
“There aren’t enough people who know we have a wetlands problem. There’s not enough people who understand how magical a duck is and waterfowl migration is. So we want to meet kids where they are today which is through technology.
Information about the birds’ movements and migratory patterns will be made available to schools and classrooms upon request starting October 1.
The first two ducks with GPS trackers were released Wednesday morning at the Jack Miner Sanctuary in Kingsville.
