Brigham Young University students are conducting intensive monitoring of bird populations within the Provo River Delta and near the Provo airport to help reduce the frequency of bird strikes. The research, which involves tracking species health and movement, aims to provide data that can mitigate collision risks for aircraft while supporting ongoing habitat restoration projects in the area.
Mitigating Aviation Bird Strikes
The monitoring efforts focus on a critical intersection of aviation safety and wildlife conservation. While bird strikes are often associated with high-profile airplane emergencies, BYU researchers noted that the sheer volume of these collisions causes a significant, often unnoticed, toll on bird populations. By studying the density and movement of birds near the Provo airport, students hope to understand how habitat management can lower the risk of these fatal encounters.
Field Research Techniques
As BYU News reported on July 7, 2026, students assist officials from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in gathering birds captured via mist nets—specialized, nearly invisible mesh fences. Once captured, these birds are banded, counted, and analyzed to track the health of various populations. All bird handling is conducted by the Division of Wildlife Resources using appropriate permits.
Academic Integration
The field research is integrated into the university's academic curriculum. According to the BYU course catalog, the Ornithology course (PWS 446) includes a required three-day field trip and covers topics such as avian systematics, evolution, distribution, and identification. The course also requires students to be able to identify 200 birds common to western North America.
Long-term Population Trends
Since 2017, students have traveled to the river mouth where the Provo River flows into Utah Lake three times a week to conduct surveys. This long-term monitoring has revealed recent trends in the delta's ecosystem. The research team has observed an increase in both the total number of birds and the diversity of species utilizing the Provo River Delta; however, they noted that this increase has not been observed near the Provo airport, which is a positive development for both aviation safety and wildlife.
Delta Restoration Context
The bird monitoring occurs within the broader context of the Provo River Delta Restoration Project, a massive effort to recover the threatened June sucker species and restore the natural ecosystem. The project officially broke ground on June 11, 2020, and has involved excavating braided channels and wetland ponds across 260 acres of agricultural land. A key milestone occurred on March 2, 2023, when the Provo River was diverted through a new structure downstream of Lakeshore Bridge, reconnecting the river to the delta.
June Sucker Recovery
The success of the restoration is already evident in fish populations. Between April 1 and July 12, researchers detected nearly 6,300 tagged June suckers entering the delta. Because only a small fraction of the adult population is tagged, experts believe the actual number of fish entering the area is likely five to ten times greater. These efforts are supported by infrastructure like aeration systems installed in the Old Provo Channel, which have helped maintain dissolved oxygen levels necessary for the species.
Public Access and Recreation
The restoration project also serves public interests through new recreational infrastructure. The delta opened for multi-recreational use on October 26, 2024, featuring a wildlife viewing tower, trails, and a pedestrian bridge that forms a 3.8-mile loop. Additionally, Provo City manages the new Delta Gateway Park, which held its grand opening on June 25, 2025. Ongoing work in the spring and summer of 2026 includes constructing new fishing platforms and non-motorized boat ramps in the Old Provo Channel.
