Radar Technology - A Tool for Understanding Migratory “Aerofauna” -- The biological data available from various radar technologies offer a unique opportunity to learn more about the spatiotemporal distribution patterns, flight characteristics, and habitat use of "aerofauna." The nationwide network of over 150 large-scale Doppler weather surveillance radars (otherwise known as NEXRAD or WSR-88D) provides continental coverage, similar to the scale of migration. Taxa that migrate include landbirds, shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl, raptors, bats, and insects. In addition, a variety of other radar technologies (e.g., mobile and revised mobile marine radars, airport surveillance radars, military tracking radars, and other pencil-beam radars) and complementary methodologies (e.g., acoustic monitoring, thermal imaging, night-vision monitoring, and visual surveys) can be used to further our understandings of bird and bat migration and to address conservation concerns at a more local or site-specific level.

Radar is for the Birds! (USGS Podcast)