BoutScout addresses critical limitations in traditional avian research methodologies by combining innovative hardware with artificial intelligence. Our solution tackles the prohibitive costs of commercial Hobo dataloggers and streamlines the time-intensive data interpretation process that has long hindered ornithological studies.
By integrating custom multi-sensor dataloggers with advanced AI analytics, we’re transforming bird nest monitoring capabilities. Our system not only captures essential environmental data but significantly accelerates post-collection analysis, enabling researchers to extract meaningful insights with unprecedented efficiency.
Our hardware development centers on specialized dataloggers equipped with precision sensors that monitor light, temperature, and humidity around bird nests. We’ve successfully deployed two Arduino MKR Zero-based prototypes that have demonstrated excellent reliability in field conditions. Future iterations will incorporate enhanced capabilities including movement detection and expanded environmental parameters.
The analytical backbone of BoutScout leverages over 400 existing nest datasets to train sophisticated 1D CNN and LSTM models. These algorithms excel at interpreting the complex patterns of avian nesting behaviors, particularly the critical on-bout and off-bout activities that are fundamental indicators of parental care and nest health.
We’ve established a strategic partnership with the ‘4U’ project (a collaboration between Universidad Icesi and Universidad del Norte) to conduct comprehensive field testing. Our prototypes are being deployed across two distinct Colombian ecosystems:
This dual-environment testing approach ensures BoutScout’s adaptability across diverse ecological conditions, validating both the hardware durability and the AI model’s interpretive accuracy across varying avian populations.
Through BoutScout, we’re creating a more accessible, efficient pathway for researchers to gather critical data on bird populations, ultimately contributing to more informed conservation strategies and deepened ecological understanding.
