Rebecca Heisman, author of 'Flight Paths', discusses bird migration, including the use of radar, acoustic monitoring, and tracking devices. Stable isotopes aid in determining bird origins for conservation. Challenges collecting data on migratory birds and the impact of climate change on bird populations are explored.
Bird migration was initially mistaken for 'radar angels' during World War II, marking an important milestone in understanding bird migration.
Birds rely on a variety of factors, such as landmarks, stars, and magnetic fields, to navigate their migration routes.
Scientists use methods like bird banding, radar, and GPS tags to track bird migration and gather valuable data on migration patterns and climate change impacts.
Deep dives
The Mystery of Radar Angels
Radar operators during World War II discovered strange signals that appeared and disappeared on their radar screens, which they called 'radar angels.' These signals would change speed and direction at random, and even fighter planes were scrambled to intercept them over the English Channel, only to find nothing there. Eventually, it was realized that these radar angels were actually migratory birds, and this discovery marked an important milestone in understanding bird migration.
Exploring the Fascinating World of Bird Migration
During the COVID lockdowns, people began noticing the abundance of birds in their neighborhoods, leading to a renewed interest in bird migration. Birds undertake incredible feats of athleticism, travelling thousands of miles during their seasonal movements. They rely on a combination of factors, such as landmarks, stars, and magnetic fields, to navigate their migration routes. The evolutionary origins of migration are still being investigated, but it is believed to have started with birds making shorter seasonal movements and gradually developing longer migratory routes. Migration can be dangerous for birds, but the rewards of accessing better breeding grounds and food sources make it worthwhile.
Methods and Implications of Tracking Bird Migration
Scientists use various methods to track bird migration, including radar, banding, and new technologies like GPS and lightweight transmitters. Bird banding involves placing numbered metal bands on birds to gather long-term data on their movements. While the percentage of recaptured birds is low, the data collected from banding stations has provided insights into migration patterns and climate change impacts. Transmitters, like GPS tags, help researchers understand specific migration routes, stopover sites, and potential threats to birds. Ethical considerations are taken into account, aiming to minimize any potential harm to the birds and maximize the conservation benefits derived from the collected data.
Bird Banding and Extraction Process
Bird banding involves using mist nets to catch birds for various measurements and attachments of bands. Although some birds may get tangled, the percentage of birds injured by this process is small. The extraction process requires skill and practice, especially with woodpeckers whose long tongues can become entangled in the nets.
Nocturnal Bird Migration
Many birds, especially songbirds, migrate at night due to various advantages such as calmer atmospheres and fewer predators. This nocturnal migration is different from the familiar V-shaped migratory patterns seen in geese or large groups of starlings. The migration at night allows birds to make progress and rest during the day for eating, refueling, and resting. Monitoring bird calls and using telescopes to observe birds in front of the moon are common methods used to study and track these nighttime migrations.
Birds carry out some of the most amazing feats of athleticism in the world. Hummingbirds cross the entire Gulf of Mexico, their tiny wings beating continuously for three days straight. A single bird will fly across the entire Pacific ocean in one go. What do we really know about bird migration, and how do we know it? This week we're talking with Rebecca Heisman about her new book: Flight Paths: How a Passionate and Quirky Group of Pioneering Scientists Solved the Mystery of Bird Migration.
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