HOLDERNESS — High-tech tracking devices will enable researchers and the public to track the migration of three New Hampshire ospreys when they begin their migration to South America in the coming weeks.

Last week, the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center and its project partners announced that three ospreys — a juvenile male and female, Jill and Chip, and an adult male, Art — have been fitted with lightweight GPS-enabled, solar-powered satellite transmitters. The devices use web-based technology to allow near real-time tracking as the birds migrate from their nests in New Hampshire to South America and back — an approximately 6,000-mile round-trip journey.

Science Center Executive Director Iain MacLeod, who has studied the once-endangered osprey species for more than 30 years, is working with distinguished visiting professor Richard “Rob” Bierregaard of the University of North Carolina, who has more than four decades of experience with osprey and has extensive experience using this satellite tracking system.

The three key websites on the osprey project are: nhnature.org/osprey_project, for the science center site; information and tracking images can be found on Bierregaard's site at bioweb.uncc.edu/bierregaard, and to view the Public Service of New Hampshire osprey cam at Ayer's Island in New Durham, go to psnh.com/environment.

MacLeod said the latest transmitters weigh just over an ounce, down from the first models that weighed three times that much. The devices fitted onto the New Hampshire ospreys cost about $4,100 each. They strap onto the bird like a backpack; the birds get accustomed to the device after a short time and go about their business.

“The backpacks are loose enough so the bird can move and fly, but snug enough to stay on. It's amazing — they get used to it after 24 hours. It becomes part of them. They don't fuss at all,” said MacLeod.

The transmitter that Bierregaard will use on eight other birds from Massachusetts, Delaware and New York are newer than those fitted to the New Hampshire birds; his transmitters use cell towers to transmit data rather than satellites. Mac Leod said the center will experiment with the new model next year.

The latest model transmits a data point every 15 minutes instead of every hour, so the detail is greater, he added.

The high-tech devices are not readily available to the public.

The transmitters were developed by Paul Howey. He started the Maryland-based company Microwave Telemetry, Inc., 21 years ago.

The company's customer support specialist, Cathy Bykowsky, said the first transmitter models were heavier more than three ounces — and were outfitted on larger, stronger birds, such as eagles.

Since then, advances in microelectronics have enabled lighter and more efficient transmitters, she said. “The earlier ones were battery-powered — now with solar rechargeable batteries, we have the opportunity to run them longer,” she added.

The transmitters outfitted with GPS track latitude and longitude and give researchers a 3-dimensional view of the birds' travel.

She noted that another improvement is access — one can log in remotely at anytime.

Over the years, Microwave Telemetry has provided tracking devices for numerous species of birds and fish.

“We've worked with loads of species, from eagles … to cuckoos, a very light bird. We've been able to build them as small as five grams,” she added. The company's customers include numerous national and international organizations, conservation groups, universities, fish and wildlife departments tracking endangered species, to people who conduct environmental and/or wildlife impact surveys.

MacLeod and his team have learned a lot since the osprey named Art was tagged in May in Bridgewater. Over the summer, MacLeod monitored his hunting trips around the Lakes Region as he fed his mate and single chick.

“He is adding to our knowledge about the range or territory size of male ospreys and allows us to compare data with other birds that Rob (Bierregaard) has followed in Coastal New England. Art will likely depart New Hampshire for South America in September. As an adult male, his chances for a successful journal are good. The two youngsters, Jill and Chip, may have a harder time on their maiden journey. MacLeod said if they make it to South America, they will stay for two years and return in 2014.

According to MacLeod, half of all osprey chicks don't survive their first migration. But at least with the transmitters, research and the viewing public can track their progress and hope for a safe journey.

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Larissa Mulkern may be reached at LMulkern@newstote.com.