Scientists begin tracking migratory songbirds with NASA radar on Delmarva Peninsula

NEWARK, Maryland — A team of scientists is using a high-tech NASA radar to monitor the fall migration of birds over the Delmarva Peninsula.

The News Journal (http://delonline.us/193WIgF ) reports scientists will be looking at where birds are stopping, eating and lingering as they examine the best habitats that remain for the region's migratory song birds.

University of Delaware researcher Jeff Buler says the majority of birds are migrating at night. He says residents can hear their flight calls if you listen carefully.

The NASA Polarimetric radar in Newark, Maryland, is normally used to study rainfall. But birds don't typically migrate when it's raining, so scientists can use the radar for both types of research.

Researchers from the Nature Conservancy and Old Dominion University are also collaborating on the project.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/cbbdbb2e4b194f6ea32e102a87914ce9/DE--NASA-Radar-Bird-Tracking