On Wing

Hudsonian Godwit (HUGO) chicks are now hatching here in Beluga, Alaska, the research site of field biologist Nate Senner. They are incredibly cute balls of fuzz with long legs! Nate and his team are banding the chicks in hopes of identifying them later as adults. After hatching, the chicks become mobile very quickly as they

Field biologist Nate Senner and his team have to catch Hudsonian Godwits (HUGOs) in order to study and track them. Once they have GPS coordinates for nests, they can return later with their field kit which consists of two components: a set of poles with a net, and a banding kit. The net is durable

In order to study the remarkable, long distance migratory Hudsonian Godwits (HUGOs), scientist Nate Senner must first find and catch them. As I accompany Nate and his team out to the peat bog in Beluga, Alaska, where the birds nest, I am continually impressed by their powers of observation. HUGOs are masters of disguise and

I am tramping around in sub-arctic peat bogs and tidal flats with scientist Nathan Senner.

Getting to know Beluga, Alaska, where I’m learning about migratory birds.

I made it safely to Beluga, Alaska! It was a grey, rainy trip.

Radio producer Ari Shapiro created a mini-documentary using Google Earth.