On Sunday morning, March 29, Menunkatuck will live-stream the nanotagging of some birds from the Finca Cántaros Environmental Association banding station in southwest Costa Rica. Join us on Zoom at 9:00 am to learn more about how birds are captured and fitted with the nanotags, and discover how the work of our partners in Latin America will help us bend the bird curve.

Nanotags are tiny, lightweight radio transmitters that periodically send out a uniquely identifiable radio signal (“ping”). Because they are lightweight, they can be attached to small animals, including small songbirds.

Motus towers are ground-based receiving stations with antennas designed to detect signals from nanotags when a tagged animal flies within approximately 15 km (9 miles).

When a tagged animal passes near a tower, the tower detects the tag ID and the time of detection. The data are uploaded to the Motus database, where researchers from many organizations can access them.

Audubon and its chapters and partners have adopted Motus and nanotag tracking to better understand migration in ways that were previously impossible.

Data from detections at different towers helps us understand migration timing (when birds leave or arrive), stopover behavior (where they rest and refuel), and routes (the paths they take).

Menunkatuck Audubon purchased 19 Lotek nanotags, and our colleague John Hannon brought them to Finca Cántaros. The tags will be put on such wintering migrants as Swainson’s Thrush in the next week. As the birds return north for the breeding season, they will ping Motus towers along their routes, providing insights into their specific migratory paths.

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Last November, John Hannan traveled over 2,500 miles through Argentina’s grasslands and Atlantic Forest, visiting five key conservation projects managed by Aves Argentinas. These projects protect thousands of acres of grasslands and forest habitat for hundreds of species, including the endangered Pampas Meadowlark, Saffron-cowled Blackbird, Yellow Cardinal, Blue-winged Macaw, and many others. Along the way, he observed more than 300 bird and other wildlife species.

Through images of stunning birds and landscapes, John will share an inspiring story of conservation efforts that bring together scientists, ranchers, and conservationists. Together, they work to protect some of the world’s most unique habitats while supporting local communities with sustainable livelihoods.

John Hannan is a 40-year veteran of the non-profit world, most of it in the conservation sphere. He has been a part of the Audubon family at all levels. On staff at National John Hannan has 40 years of experience in the non-profit sector, mainly in conservation. He has been involved with the Audubon organization at all levels. While on staff at National Audubon, he helped launch the Americas Flyways’ Strategy fundraising efforts and was part of the team that planned the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Conservation Business Plan. In New York, he is a former Chair of the Audubon NY State Chapters’ Council and has served as President of the Bedford Audubon Board of Directors, both in the past and currently.

At Audubon, he helped launch the Americas Flyways’ Strategy fundraising efforts and was part of the planning team for the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Conservation Business Plan. In NY, he is a past Chair of the Audubon NY State Chapters’ Council and a past and current President of the Bedford Audubon Board of Directors.

From 2017 to 2024, he worked with BirdLife International, raising awareness and support for the Partnership’s coordinated global conservation efforts. Now retired, he is helping build local awareness of how migratory birds truly connect us worldwide and how vital it is for all of us to protect these fragile natural resources we rely on.

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