Presentation Summary: Bird migration captivates the human imagination, yet for most of us, key aspects of the phenomenon remain a mystery. How do birds sense the ideal moment to take wing, and once the epic journey has begun, how do they find their distant destinations? Fresh insights about avian movements are still constantly emerging, powered by new tools like molecular genetics and transmitter miniaturization. Dr. Rappole will discuss supposed threats to the future of migrants posed by climate change.

Please note that since Dr. Rappole is in the Washington, D.C. area, he will be delivering his seminar to us via Zoom. Meeting attendees may participate by attending our meeting in person at the South Texas Botanical Gardens or by joining the meeting virtually via Zoom.

About Our Speaker: John Rappole, Ph.D., is a research scientist emeritus at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. He is the author of numerous books, including Birds of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Where to Find Them and The Avian Migrant: The Biology of Bird Migration. Dr. Rappole earned his B.A. at Colgate University and his M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. His areas of study include: Ecology and evolution of migrant birds; Inventory, systematics, and Biogeography of Burmese sub-Himalayan avifauna; Migrant birds and pathogens (e.g., WNV, HPAI H5N1); Post-breeding movements of birds; Tropical flock dynamics; and rapid range change.