During migration, songbirds spend more time foraging and resting than they do in flight. Protecting stopover habitat is essential for the conservation of migratory bird populations. Weather radar, which is also used to create BirdCast migration forecasts, is a fascinating and powerful tool for understanding patterns of stopover habitat use. Claire Nemes will share her postdoctoral research in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to map out stopover hotspots across the state using weather radar data. The DNR along with birders, conservation groups, and resource managers can use these maps to help conserve Maryland’s migrants.

Claire grew up in Maryland and joined MBC after reading about Golden-crowned Kinglets got her hooked on birds. She completed her PhD and postdoctoral research in migration ecology at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Appalachian Lab in Frostburg. Claire is now a postdoc studying American Kestrel movement at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. She’s a big fan of confusing fall warblers and loves everything about migration!