The journey back

Sri Lanka tagging program traces little-known paths of migratory birds

Environment
By Editor_1
Gayomini Panagoda, left, and Sampath Seneviratne inspecting a bird after the tagging is completed - Satellite-Tagging Project/FOGSL/CAS
0
By Malaka Rodrigo 

MANNAR — Born in the frozen Arctic tundra, a population of Heuglin’s gull (Larus fuscus heuglini) heads to tropical Sri Lanka every year during the harsh Northern Hemisphere winter.

On the Indian Ocean island, they hunt for fish and recuperate from their long flight while also building up their energy reserves for the journey back. This year, as they prepared for the return with the onset of spring in their Siberian home, one of the gulls never saw the trap set up to capture it. Luckily for this gull, the trap wasn’t set by hunters, but by scientists studying migratory patterns of birds.

After carefully retrieving the Heuglin’s gull from the trap, they measured it and attached a GPS transponder to its back. The bird appeared a little annoyed initially but soon paid no attention to the gadget as it was clearly no threat. And then it took off, the very next day, on the long flight back to its breeding ground.

Tracking birds in flight

“We tagged the gull on April 4, and it took 60 days to complete its journey back to the Siberian region in northern Russia at the rim of the Arctic,” said Gayomini Panagoda, a PhD candidate at the University of Colombo. “The bird could have flown over 7,000 kilometres [4,350 miles]. We previously thought they took the long flight during the day, but satellite data indicated they continue flying even during the night.”

The Heuglin gull was tagged as part of a groundbreaking project in Sri Lanka to monitor the movements of migratory birds using satellite tags. The project is a collaboration between the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL), based at the University of Colombo, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Wetlands International, with support from several local sponsors. CAS provided the satellite tags and the technology to FOGSL, which selected the region of Mannar in northwestern Sri Lanka, a strategic entry point for many of the more than 200 migratory bird species that overwinter here, to tag the birds.

FOGSL, which is also the Sri Lanka affiliate of BirdLife International, initiated the National Bird Ringing Program in 2004 in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC).

The earlier tracking tags they used were essentially data loggers that had to be physically retrieved from the animal to get the data. The new satellite tags, however, are state-of-the-art technology that give real-time data and have revolutionized the study of bird movements.

Realizing the effectiveness of satellite tags, FOGSL wanted to use them in the National Bird Ringing Programme, but the technology proved too expensive. “It was not easy to find a technical partner, so we ended up writing to many organizations seeking assistance for several years,” said Sampath Seneviratne, a research scientist at the University of Colombo and the brains behind the satellite-tagging project.

Tagged on April 4, this Heuglin’s gull left the next day and flew day and night to reach its breeding grounds in northern Russia at the rim of Arctic –  Satellite-Tagging Project/FOGSL/CAS.

Popular routes

The Central Asian Flyway (CAF) is the name given to the corridor used by migratory birds flying between the Arctic and the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka is the last landmass south on this route, and hence an important destination for many migratory birds.

But the boundaries of the CAF are only broadly defined and poorly understood, so researchers want to use this tagging opportunity to gain greater understanding.

“To achieve this, we aim at species representing both the western and eastern arms of the CAF, as well as visiting species from both the high Arctic and temperate latitudes, capturing the full spectrum of migration systems within the flyway,” Seneviratne told Mongabay.

The researchers chose to tag a Heuglin’s gull because the species breeds in northern Russia’s Arctic region, a starting point of the CAF, Seneviratne said.

Also known as the Siberian gull, it’s a large seabird that’s a subspecies of the lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus, and is often confused with the herring gull, Larus argentatus. This makes the taxonomy of Heuglin’s gull a bit vague, something that this research will hopefully shed some light on, Seneviratne said.

The project’s partner, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, initially provided 35 satellite tags designed for different migratory birds. Other important bird species tagged under the project include the Eurasian wigeon (Mareca penelope), common redshank (Tringa totanus), Eurasian whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), crab plover (Dromas ardeola), bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica), black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa) and Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia).

Addressing research gaps

Traditional bird migration maps show three main routes that birds use to reach Sri Lanka along the CAF corridor: eastern, western, and via India’s the Andaman Islands.

“These routes are defined based on anecdotal evidence, mostly based on observations rather than facts or founded on research,” said Sarath Kotagama, emeritus professor at the University of Colombo, a pioneer in bird studies in Sri Lanka, and a founder of the National Bird Ringing Programme. “The data we receive through this project will be really useful in defining these flyways.”

The satellite tagging can also shed light on the birds’ movement within Sri Lanka. This would help identify the sites that are critical for the survival of these bird species and can help prioritize conservation actions, Kotagama explained.

The tagging took place mainly in the mudflats of northwestern Sri Lanka’s Mannar district, a strategic entry point to the island used by many migratory bird species. The whole process was labor-intensive, Panagoda said.

“We set up five-day stints for camping and had mist nets on the mudflats during low tide,” she added, explaining, “Within a single day, there are two low-tide cycles, so we set up one cycle during the night from 4 p.m. to 12 midnight, and another in the early hours of the day, around 4 a.m. to about 9 a.m. Then we also had to process the birds by checking their weight, take feather counts and finally put the ring carefully.”

The birds sporting tags sometimes fly out of satellite range, so researchers sometimes had to wait until they flew back into an area with coverage to get the stored data, Panagoda added. The team recently received another 35 satellite tags and is waiting for the next migration season to tag more feathered friends.

-This article was originally featured on news.mongabay.com

 

 

 

Editor_1
You might also like More from author

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

otc high blood pressure treatment blood pressure guidelines medications blood pressure pills that is safe for the liver high blood pressure medication levothyroxine blood pressure medication that reduces blood pressure is there any difference in blood pressure pills high blood pressure child medication blood pressure medication recommendation nose blue blood pressure medication blood pressure is 150 68 should i take my medication blood pressure medication while nursing taking a bunch of high blood pressure pills aerobic exercise and blood pressure medication good blood pressure medication acupuncture treatment for low blood pressure best over the counter pills for high blood pressure blood pressure pill amlodipine besylate high blood pressure signs and treatment moderna vaccine blood pressure medication which blood pressure drugs do not cause tinnitus blood pressure medication fights cancer blood pressure medication skin rash side effects of high blood pressure medication impotence medication to avoid on blood pressure medications high blood pressure rx medication peripheral neuropathy caused by blood pressure medication high blood pressure in pregnancy treatment nice runny nose do to blood pressure medication how to get off of blood pressure pills hiv medication and high blood pressure niacin treatment for high blood pressure two drugs for blood pressure that caused cancer high blood pressure causing medications high blood pressure medication names canada blood pressure medication side effects alcohol i take 3 blood pressure medication blood pressure pills that help with anxiety what iv drug raises blood pressure list of doctors who formulated blood pressure medications how to remember blood pressure medications sleeping pills blood pressure how fast does blood pressure medication take effect sweet n low high blood pressure medication home treatment for blood pressure high blood pressure medication matrocet high blood pressure medication doses blood pressure drug bystolic iberstaron blood pressure medication blood pressure medications st alphabetical celexa and high blood pressure medication does blood pressure pills irritation skin can i take combivent with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications beta blockers list what to do if blood pressure medication does not work drugs to lower your blood pressure red beet pills for blood pressure taurine and blood pressure medications how ling for garlic pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication list and side effects can i take aspirin with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication teaching about hot tubs water pills high blood pressure over counter what is an arb medication for blood pressure resveratrol high blood pressure medication high blood pressure medication and weight loss gum disease and blood pressure medication benzenesulfonic acid in blood pressure medication taking two blood pressure pills by mistake allergy pills for high blood pressure blood pressure prescription drugs safety blood pressure medication in pregnancy trazodone and blood pressure medication which blood pressure medication is linked to skin cancer list of blood pressure medications with the least side effects could blood pressure medication make blood thicker disadvantages of high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications ludipril typical drugs for high blood pressure otc water pills for high blood pressure blood pressure medications that do not doncause bowel blockage high blood pressure after corrosion treatment how soon does high blood pressure medication work blood pressure medication teaching amertyrine high blood pressure medication increased blood pressure and heart rate after drug overdose over the counter drugs high blood pressure blood pressure medication 25 is blood pressure medication a nitrate most effective blood pressure pills blood pressure medical does red yeast rice interfere with high blood pressure medication can apple cider vinegar pills lower blood pressure does blood pressure medication give you headaches high blood pressure medication and driving should you take blood pressure pills with food inn blood pressure drugs can you eat bananas if taking blood pressure medication popular high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication los blood pressure medication second drug low blood pressure and hypertension medication do water pills lower blood pressure high blood pressure pill aqunadine high blood pressure cholesterol medication how does medication lower blood pressure acetaminophen blood pressure medication blood pressure medication 30 mg that works around the heart what does grapefruit do to blood pressure medication can red yeast rice be taken with blood pressure medication pharmaceutical treatment for high blood pressure are blood pressure pills statins blood pressure pills that start with r blood pressure medication and male impotence taking baby aspirin with other high blood pressure medications what is the medical name for a blood pressure cuff leg cramps and blood pressure medication blood pressure pill name starts with p natural high blood pressure treatments blood pressure medication names losartan higher blood pressure with radiation treatment medical marijauna high blood pressure how to avoid medication for high blood pressure what time is best to take blood pressure medication medication for palpitations and high blood pressure latest news on blood pressure treatment what if i take two blood pressure pills does xanax interfere with blood pressure medication amlipan blood pressure medication vitamin e and blood pressure medication tell me the side effects of high blood pressure medication herbs pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication urge to urinate what medication will safely replace lisop as blood pressure medicine active ingredient in high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications cause adrenal tumors is biktarvy ok to take with high blood pressure medication alembic blood pressure medication sandoz blood pressure medication exercise high blood pressure medication grapefruit pills blood pressure treatment for high blood pressure at home blood pressure medication for patients with osa cycle on off blood pressure medication blood pressure drugs that do not cause heat sensitivity blood pressure medications that do not cause coughing what blood pressure medications do not cause rosacea pfizer blood pressure medication side effects do garlic pills really help lower blood pressure should i take medication for anxiety induced blood pressure treatment for uncontrolled blood pressure decongestant medication high blood pressure can stiff days be used with high blood pressure medication how long does it take medication to lower blood pressure what if i miss a blood pressure pill tribenzor high blood pressure pills law lawsuit 2023 treatment of sudden drop in blood pressure zoloft and blood pressure medication orange high blood pressure pill cancer blood pressure pill why cant people with high blood pressure take keto pills how long for blood pressure to go down mini pill should i get second opinion before taking blood pressure medication blood pressure erectile dysfunction medication high blood pressure medication m lot ben medical device lowers blood pressure puppy ate blood pressure pill are there medications for low blood pressure dod blood pressure medication is losartan a blood pressure pill combination drugs for blood pressure marijuana and blood pressure medication interaction blood pressure medication interactions with grapefruit can you eat bananas while taking high blood pressure medication steps before going on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when to cut down foods to avoid on blood pressure medication blood pressure medications depression blood pressure medication non beta blocker tattoos and high blood pressure medication what is the medications used to lower blood pressure quickly high blood pressure medication leg swelling blood pressure medication men in your 40s blood pressure medication wieight loss blood pressure medication hy can blood pressure medication lower blood sugar does blood pressure medication make you pee natural treatment high blood pressure during pregnancy can you take l arginine with high blood pressure medication what class of blood pressure medication can can blood pressure pills reduce appetite faa approved medication for high blood pressure high blood pressure medication during pregnancy best blood pressure medication for type 2 diabetes blood pressure and pain medication pain medication that does not affect blood pressure best high blood pressure drugs on the market if you take incorrect medications to lower blood pressure low blood pressure treatments does your body have to adjust to blood pressure medication why water pill for high blood pressure drugs for treatment of very high blood pressure during pregnancy can i drink grapefruit juice with high blood pressure medication can blood pressure pills make you feel cold high blood pressure medication that helps with weight loss amlodipine blood pressure drug blood pressure medication for infants varicose veins blood pressure medication life extension high blood pressure medication does tylenol interfere with blood pressure medication can i take diamox with other high blood pressure medications prestige medical blood pressure cuff calibration drugs used for high blood pressure chamomile tea and high blood pressure medication narcotics stored alongside blood pressure medications in does nutrigrove blood pressure pills work extremely low blood pressure treatment blood pressure medication for iga nephropathy blood pressure medication low side effects can i increase my blood pressure medication what is the best blood pressure medication to take drugs that cause increased blood pressure does biotin interfere with high blood pressure medication cani od on high blood pressure pills blood pressure medication that also helps with jerking blood pressure medication categories first line treatment of high blood pressure medication for low blood pressure in usa armour thyroid drug interactions blood pressure meds hepatitis c treatment high blood pressure high blood pressure arb drugs low blood pressure treatment with essential oils high blood pressure medication list for pregnancy blood pressure medication and snake venom blood pressure medication low dose liquid blood pressure medications ivf drugs and high blood pressure left my blood pressure medication does it matter when you take blood pressure medication can you take blood pressure pills twice a day privilin blood pressure medication how big are blood pressure pills once you start blood pressure medication can you stop diuretic in blood pressure medication what medication reduce blood pressure new blood pressure treatment prescribed home medications for high blood pressure blood pressure medication side effects forums taking blood pressure pills dizzy when bend over a lot blood pressure medication and nyquil cinnamon pills and high blood pressure temporary high blood pressure treatment single agent blood pressure medication blood pressure medication made in china fda approved medications to reduce blood pressure immediate treatment for high blood pressure at home best time to take blood pressure pills muscle loss on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when needed treat high blood pressure without medication blood pressure medication side effects for men cbd pills for high blood pressure blood pressure regulation without medication blood pressure medication and pre workout high blood pressure alzheimer disease and antihypertensive treatment miss blood pressure medication blood pressure pills suicide peaceful emergency drugs for low blood pressure common blood pressure medications in canada systolic blood pressure define medical viril and high blood pressure pills can statin drugs help lower blood pressure do you have to wean off blood pressure medication new drugs for blood pressure when is high blood pressure medication necessary drugs for hi blood pressure cold medications and blood pressure taking 2 blood pressure pills mistake why doctors stopped prescribing blood pressure medication common high blood pressure medication canada what side effects does blood pressure medication have ulcer medication high blood pressure can high blood pressure medication elevate alkaline phosphatase blood pressure medication warning getting blood pressure medication jamaica alkaline water and blood pressure medication blood pressure going up and down with medication drugs reduce systolic blood pressure treatment for rapid high blood pressure low blood pressure alternative treatment do all high blood pressure medications cause weight gain medication for increasing blood pressure blood pressure medication for african american males vitamins for high blood pressure treatment aleve with blood pressure medication how to lower blood pressure without pills blood pressure triple pill who blood pressure guidelines for hygiene treatment what drug reduces blood pressure blood pressure medications enalapril met blood pressure medication