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| Research
focus
The primary focus of RRBO is to better understand the importance of migratory stopover sites. Birds traveling thousands of miles on their way to or from breeding and wintering sites need safe places to stop and refuel. What makes birds stop at one site but fly past another? What determines how long they stay? What habitat characteristics and food resources constitute a high-quality stopover site, and are the criteria different in spring than in fall? How crucial is it to the survival of migrant birds to find stopover sites at particular geographical regions? These questions are critical conservation issues. Many bird populations, particularly those of birds that migrate to the tropics, have been declining at an alarming pace. Our research indicates UM-Dearborn is a very important area for migratory birds. Banding recapture data show in spring, the average stay for species that are strictly passage migrants is 3.4 days. These birds gained an average of 1.3% of their original body weight. In fall, the stay is 5.7 days, with a gain of 3.7% of original body weight. See our section on banding recaptures for more information. We publish an occasional newsletter that gives results of our research, or you can read some research summaries here on the web site. |
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About
our site
Directions
to campus |
Location
map Environmental Interpretive Center top right, that's our home |
The University of Michigan-Dearborn is located in Dearborn, Wayne County, Michigan (42 19'N, 83 15' W). The natural habitat at the site covers approximately 290 acres (118.2 ha), which includes 72 acres owned by the University, adjoined by additional land owned by Wayne County. Major natural features include the Rouge River (the region's primary watershed), which runs through the site, and a small, eight-acre (3.2 ha) lake. Habitats include mature deciduous floodplain forest, including one of the few remaining climax beech-maple forests in southeastern Michigan; forest in secondary succession; and some areas of maturing old fields. The entire area is surrounded by varied urban and residential use. Wayne County is predominantly urban. As of 1990, the Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments reported the land use in the county as 69% urban. This isolated remnant of natural habitat in a region so closely associated with industrialization in America offers a unique opportunity to study the importance of urban natural areas to birds. With 251 bird species recorded, it is clearly a valuable piece of real estate for birds and other wildlife. VISITING RRBO. The Natural Area trail system is open daily dawn to dusk. The section on the campus trails from the "A Birder's Guide to Michigan," published by the American Bird Association and available from ABA Sales also provides a map and what to expect on the trails. Click here to download a PDF file of the piece on the UM-D Environmental Study Area from the book. We request that you please stay on the trails. Jogging, dogs, bicycles, picnics, and other activities that interfere with the quiet study of nature are prohibited. Please also refrain from using tape recordings to attract birds and other wildlife. Because RRBO is a research operation, visits to the banding operation are limited to special events. More information can be found in the new book The Birds of Dearborn, An Annotated Checklist. |
| Our
staff and volunteers
RRBO relies on volunteers to do bird surveys, help band birds, trim net lanes, make bird bags, and assorted chores. For more about our current volunteers, go to About the Staff. For information about becoming a volunteer, please contact Julie Craves at jcraves AT umd.umich.edu. Please be advised that banding positions are very limited (no more than two per year), and require at least two weekday mornings a week with a full year or more commitment. |
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Our
logo
The University of Michigan-Dearborn is located on property that was once the home of Henry Ford. Ford was not only an industrial leader, but a great nature and bird lover -- he was instrumental in convincing Congress to pass the Migratory Bird Treaty in 1913. Throughout Ford's estate, Fair Lane, there are carvings and other representations of birds. The bird in our logo is taken from the copper ventilator covers in the powerhouse at Fair Lane. Our logo reflects the historical nature of our location. Our banding station was formerly headquartered in Fair Lane's former Pony Barn You can purchase
RRBO logo gear; proceeds from sales go directly to support RRBO
research.
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| We
need your support
The Rouge River Bird Observatory is a unique endeavor, since intense study of such a wide variety of birds is rare in an urban area. Ecological research of this nature requires a long-term commitment to data-gathering. RRBO is supported entirely by donations. UM-D generously allows us use of its facilities and permits us to conduct our field work on its property. But all of our funding comes from external sources. Only with continued outside funding will the data and information we are compiling make a valuable contribution to bird conservation and ornithological research. |
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