German Bight -image: data from ESA, processed by Hereon

GPS Telemetry of Seabirds

Example of a solar GPS data logger (e-obs, Munich, Germany) attached on an Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) on Oland, Germany, in 2012. -image: Stefan Weiel/ FTZ, Universität Kiel-

Example of a solar GPS data logger (e-obs, Munich, Germany) attached on an Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) on Oland, Germany, in 2012. -image: Stefan Weiel/ FTZ, Universität Kiel-

As top predators, seabirds depend on marine resources and, accordingly, are sensitive to environmental changes. Thus, any changes in their foraging behavior indicate changes in the marine environment. The use of GPS data loggers allows comprehensive tracking of foraging and flight patterns. Rapid ongoing advances in data logger development offer more and more possibilities: Devices become lighter and more efficient and can be applied to a great variety of seabird species. For instance, solar cells provide long-time tracking for several weeks or even years. Individuals are caught by walk-in traps on their nest and the devices are fixed on the birds’ backs by Teflon® tape around their legs or wings.

Foraging flights of Northern Gannets (<i>Morus bassanus</i>) from Helgoland (n =13) in 2015. Flight patterns show different foraging hotspots and individual behaviour. Windparks also influence the flight patterns. -image: Stefan Garthe /FTZ, Universität Kiel-

Foraging flights of Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) from Helgoland (n =13) in 2015. Flight patterns show different foraging hotspots and individual behaviour. Windparks also influence the flight patterns. -image: Stefan Garthe /FTZ, Universität Kiel-

Besides information about seabird flight patterns, e.g. foraging hotspots, flight speed and altitude, data loggers can record the birds’ diving depth, pressure and surrounding temperature. Combining these data with environmental parameters from COSYNA measurement stations, e.g. salinity, sea surface temperature or chlorophyll, facilitates the understanding of the seabirds’ foraging behavior, their food intake and habitat choice. In turn, the recorded spatial and temporal flight patterns of equipped seabirds can be used as indicator for characterizing the environmental status of the North Sea to a certain extent.

Foraging flights of Lesser Black-backed Gulls (<i>Larus fuscus</i>) from  Helgoland (n = 5) and Spiekeroog (n = 8), in 2010. -image: Stefan Garthe /FTZ, Universität Kiel-

Foraging flights of Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus) from
Helgoland (n = 5) and Spiekeroog (n = 8), in 2010. -image: Stefan Garthe /FTZ, Universität Kiel-

The tracking studies are carried out within the COSYNA framework by the Research and Technology Centre at Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel. Study species are, e.g. Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus).

bird's diving depthpressuresurroundig temperatureforaging hotspotsflight speedflight altitude