News from the Broome Bird Observatory
March 30, 2008
BBO Hosts Godwit Tracking Team
Throughout February the Broome Bird Observatory hosted scientists and researchers from the United States Geological Survey Alaska Science Centre (USGS), the Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) and the Global Flyway Network (GFN). They formed a team with local enthusiasts and members of the BBO staff, with the goal of trapping and satellite tagging Bar-tailed Godwits of the menzbieri sub-species and then following their migratory journey to their breeding grounds in Siberia.
The project replicates the work which was undertaken from New Zealand in 2007, were 16 Bar-tailed Godwits of the sub-species baueri were successfully tracked to their Alaskan breeding grounds. Many of these were subsequently tracked on their long trans-Pacific flights back to the same beaches from which they departed in New Zealand several months previously. This confirmed long held beliefs of many scientists that the godwits were not only capable of such a journey, but were undertaking it on an annual basis.
This year's 15 Bar-tailed Godwits from Broome were successfully fitted with small devices which, as in the project last year, send intermittent signals to orbiting satellites. The position of each bird can be tracked by scientists, who are able to package the information so that the godwit's journeys can be followed on Google Earth.
A satellite tagged Bar-tailed Godwit in the field. Note the aerial extending back over the tail and black flag with white lettering. Image: © 2008 Jan van de Kam. Press image to view a detail.
The project has not only fired the imaginations of shorebird enthusiasts across the country, it has also been enthusiastically embraced by the local ABC radio station , which is running a sweep on the travelling birds. Schoolchildren across the Kimberley have also been swept up in the enthusiasm, launching local GFN researcher, Chris Hassell to local celebrity status.
Contributing to conservation along the flyway
Apart from publicising the amazing lives of the birds of Roebuck Bay, the project will deliver important information which will add to our understanding of these birds and also contribute to conservation measures along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
Follow the flight of the godwits
Visit the USGS site and download the file which permits you to view the latest positions of the godwits on Google Earth or learn more about the study at the GFN site.
A considerable part of the funding for this project comes from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation , Point Reyes Bird Observatory Conservation Science , United States Geological Survey Alaska Science Centre and the US Department of Interior.