Well, this Spring migration study came to a screeching halt a few weeks ago as field work called me to Florida, research kicked up a notch here in Somerset, NJ, and I co-taught a field course at Island Beach State Park. The ultimate blow was a hacker getting into my friend’s server, where Woodcreeper.com is housed. This cancelled my animation script which meant I would have to make each animation manually if I wanted to post them to the site…coupled with all the work and lack of dependable internet service, there was nothing I could do to keep it running like it had been. My site is now being moved to another server which will have technical support so that hopefully I can avoid another crash at the peak of migration. I’m working with Mike Mills to design an automated radar website to track migration. The ultimate goal is to have a site that anyone can customize for their area, so that we might eventually have a network of websites tracking migration across the country. If you’re interested in reading more about radar ornithology, I have an article in the July/August issue of WildBird magazine. If you do happen to read it, please stop by and leave a note! I do have all of the radar images still backed up from when the server was hacked, so when I get some time I will attempt to fill in the gaps for the historical record. Thanks to everyone who participated in the Spring 2007 migration study. Although this season was one of the shortest due to complications, the discussions and interpretations continue to elucidate many of the mysteries of migration including timing, diversity, and optimal conditions. The technology available over the internet is increasing at an explosive rate, such that the next fall and spring should be very exciting times to track birds across the night sky.

Good Birding!

David