Resource Library
Curious about Motus towers and how they can inform your land trust’s understanding of bird migration and habitat use? This collection includes recordings from Audubon CT/NY’s 2025 Science Forum on the Motus Wildlife Tracking System features insights from top researchers on how the network is shaping conservation across the hemisphere. You’ll also find links to alternative bird monitoring technologies — like AI-powered Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) — that can help document species presence and habitat health.
Session 1
- Welcome by co-chairs – Ben Oko and Ken Rosenberg
- What is Motus and the Motus Network – Todd Alleger, American Bird Conservancy
- Use of Motus by Audubon (tower locations, projects utilizing Motus, and what are we
learning) – Bill DeLuca, Senior Manager of Migration Ecology, National Audubon Society - View Recording HERE >>
Session 2
- Utilizing Motus in the conservation of Wood Thrush – Sarah Kendrick, Migratory Bird Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife
- Using Motus to engage audiences and build support for conservation efforts or encourage conservation action – Renee Wilson, Audubon FL
- View Recording HERE >>
Session 3
- Motus in the neotropics – Nick Bayly, Director of Selva Migratory Ecology Program
- Discussion, Q&A, final remarks
- View Recording HERE >>
Additional Resources
There is other promising technology for documenting visiting bird species, which is oftentimes useful for determining the health of habitats. They are often less expensive than installing a Motus tower and use AI to identify bird song.
Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) are a rising technology. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Here are links to several useful tools:
- BirdWeather – runs off of Cornell’s BirdNet
- Terra – limited Motus capability
- SongMeter – Acoustic Wildlife Recorder
- AudioMoth – Low cost option