Donate what you can to Up Front. The suggested donation is $10. You can use the code getnerdy to zero out the suggested donation and add any amount you are comfortable with.
Every fall and spring, one of the greatest spectacles of the natural world takes place over our heads. Billions of birds, from tiny hummingbirds to majestic cranes, make incredible journeys between their breeding and wintering grounds. Over the course of their lives, some will make voyages that rival some of the greatest expeditions made possible by human technology, all under their own power. These journeys test the limits of animal physiology and require navigation to a place, often thousands of miles away, across an ocean to another continent. How and why do they do it?
Since he was 13 years old, this question has captivated Dr. Chris Tonra. Chris has spent years studying migratory birds; their behavior, ecology, and conservation. His early career focused on the physiology of migratory birds, and how they balance the demands of their amazing journeys with the challenges of the breeding season. Since joining the faculty in the School of Environment and Natural Resources at OSU he has been exploring all aspects of migratory bird annual cycles, including here in Ohio.
Chris will be sharing some of the amazing stories of migratory birds. He will explain why migration arose, how birds navigate across the planet, and how they find the energy to do so. Chris will also share some of his research on species that spend time here in Ohio.