Science & Conservation

Scientists Steve Augiron (France) and Almut Schlaich (Germany) set a mist net to capture Montagu's harriers in order to fit them with GPS-loggers. The harriers are enticed to dive at it by placing a large model owl behind the net (photos of harriers diving at owl available). Khelcom, Senegal.

Using a system of relay antennas strategically positioned around several roosts near Khelcom, Senegal, researchers can read out the birds' data loggers. This yields detailed information on birds' movements (e.g. location, elevation, flight speed, and temperature in three-second intervals), but also migratory data for birds that have been equipped with GPS-loggers at European breeding sites in previous years.

Using a system of relay antennas strategically positioned around several roosts near Khelcom, Senegal, researchers can read out the birds' data loggers. This yields detailed information on birds' movements (e.g. location, elevation, flight speed, and temperature in three-second intervals), but also migratory data for birds that have been equipped with GPS-loggers at European breeding sites in previous years.