Remote Acoustics and Imagery Lab (RAIL)
Developing innovative approaches to remotely survey and monitor birds, mammals, and other wildlife around the world. We seek approaches that minimize disturbance to wildlife and the environment, reduce costs, and increase efficiencies, all while enabling research and conservation at scale.
Directors: Jay McEntee, Ph.D.; Merra Howe, M.S.
Capabilities
Bioacoustic monitoring
20+ years of experience using autonomous recorders units (ARUs) in the U.S. and internationally for echolocating bats, nocturnal avian migrants, and other taxa–focused studies – both onshore and offshore. ARU-based detection and species identification using acoustic classifier tools, with support from in-house expertise.
UAS surveys
Our team of certified FAA pilots uses unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to collect high-resolution geospatial data in support of wildlife research and environmental monitoring. Delivering geospatial products to help clients map habitat, manage endangered species, quantify change, and build standardized monitoring programs. Learn More.
Featured Project
Gulf of Maine Bat Research Program (GoMBat)
Gulf of Maine Bat (GoMBat) Research Program – The GoMBat Research Program is a community science effort led by BRI and supported by fishermen, academic institutions, NGOs, and state and federal agencies that uses acoustic monitoring to track bats through the Gulf of Maine.
Projects and Products
Giraffe ID
Giraffes all have unique spot patterns, which makes it possible to identify individuals in images from camera traps. As part of our 40-year biodiversity project in Kenya, we are identifying individuals with the help of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and WildBook’s GiraffeSpotter tool, which uses a machine-learning algorithm to automatically match individuals across images. This will allow us to identify individuals detected in multiple years, or detected by other researchers outside of our project area. Uploading our images to GiraffeSpotter also makes it possible to easily share our data with other conservation practitioners.
Motus Station Calibration Using Drones
RAIL is leading the development of a drone-based calibration method to measure the detection volume of receivers in the Motus Wildlife Tracking Network, improving the reliability of movement data for birds, bats, and insects. The framework is being piloted in Maine and New Jersey and designed for replication at regional scales.
Camera Trap Surveys
We design and implement remote wildlife monitoring programs using game cameras and other advanced sensing technologies to support comprehensive species inventory and habitat assessments
Our biologists are experienced in winter field operations, enabling year-round data collection in rugged landscapes. From study design and equipment deployment to data analysis and reporting, BRI provides end-to-end camera trap survey services that deliver reliable, actionable insights for conservation and land management.
Drone-based Telemetry
Utilizing the Wildlife Drones telemetry system fixed to the Freefly Astro Drone, BRI conducts UAV radio tracking for a variety of taxa, such as bats, on behalf of state and federal partners. The system tracks up to 40 VHF radio transmitters simultaneously, and utilizes three to five 360° rotations to generate individual coordinates within a 35m accuracy threshold.
RAIL Staff
News and Publications
A
t the end of April, RAIL staff Merra, Jay, and Sarah attended the Northeast Acoustic Symposium at the University of New Hampshire. This event featured oral and poster presentation topics will representing all fields of acoustics including (but not limited to) bioacoustics, ocean acoustics, signal processing, speech, biomedical acoustics, and environmental acoustics.
Sarah presented preliminary results from the Nighthawk NFC performance evaluation effort.
