Rare Earth Great Migrations
8 snips
Sep 19, 2025 Join insect migration expert Will Hawkes, ICARUS project leader Martin Wikelski, and author David Barrie as they dive into the fascinating world of animal migrations. They discuss how technology is transforming our understanding of these journeys, from butterflies to songbirds. Discover the innovative ICARUS satellite tracking system and how it's changing conservation efforts. They also explore the cultural significance of migration and the threats posed by climate change, highlighting the resilience of animals navigating their perilous paths.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Three Core Migration Challenges
- Migration poses three core challenges: navigation, stamina and adaptability.
- Understanding these helps explain why diverse species undertake long, directed journeys.
Multiple Natural Compasses
- Animals use multiple navigation systems like sun, stars, polarised light and magnetic fields.
- Different species combine these cues to achieve precise long-distance orientation.
Seeing The Magnetic Field
- Magnetic sensing may tie into vision via cryptochrome molecules sensitive to blue light.
- Some species effectively 'see' magnetic information as part of their navigational toolkit.
