Satellite telemetry in ornithology

The movements of birds have been investigated for the past 100 years mainly by ringing. In recent times satellite telemetry has provided us with a new device which makes possible the permanent and worldwide automatic location of birds over an extended period of time.

To begin with, owing to the size and weight of the transmitters, only large bird species could be so equipped. Today, however, technical improvements in satellite transmitters have advanced so rapidly that it is now possible to track birds of medium size. There are now at our disposal transmitters with conventional batteries and solar-powered transmitters weighing only about 20 g.

As the sensitivity of reception will be increased in the new satellites, which in the coming years will be put into orbit round the earth, and the transmitters further improved, one may expect relatively soon to acquire many fresh data on migration routes, resting and wintering areas, speed of migration, orientation, dependence on weather conditions, etc.

In view of the rapid development of this technique a Yahoo Group for ‘Satellite Telemetry in Ornithology’ has been created for discussion and to help disseminate information on this technique and its results among researchers and other interested individuals to overcome the problem of the long time-lapse involved in the publication of articles in scientific journals.

Please forward this information to any other person you think may be interested in Satellite Telemetry.


World Working Group on Birds of Prey (WWGBP)
E-mail: SatTelOrn-owner@yahoogroups.com and WWGBP@aol.com
http://www.egroups.com/group/SatTelOrn
www.Raptors-International.de