No more guessing about the ways of birds

AMSTERDAM – A miniature GSP-backpack is revolutionizing knowledge about the travels of birds. Up to now, researchers were only aware of the broad outlines but now are able to track even the smallest details as birds go about their routine, which is very interesting and frequently remarkable. Until now, researchers tried to catch birds, document their particulars, add a ring to their legs and release them with the hope that they would catch them again in the future for an update or be sent information when found dead. The new system allows researchers to chart the trek patterns and document, for example, the activities of the Lesser Black-backed seagulls at sea when they follow fishing trawlers or coast along on ocean currents. The new invention also identified the favourite stops and destinations of the birds.