Grey Plover satellite tagging from the AWSG

The Australasian Wader Studies Group NWA, 2016 Wader and Tern Studies expedition today caught 14 Grey Plovers at Roebuck Bay,  Broome, and deployed satellite transmitters on 5 of them.

 

Photo: Robert Bush

It is hoped that over the next few months these transmitters will enable the northward migration of these 5 birds back to their Siberian breeding grounds to be plotted. The transmitters are programmed to send back a position every 2 1/2 days. 

Photo: Robert Bush

Previous banding and flagging data has shown that most Grey Plover use the Yellow Sea in China / Korea as a stopover on migration. But no information is currently available on what route they take after that or where in Siberia their breeding grounds lie. It has even been suggested (on genetic/biometric data) that some may go to the remote Wrangle Island to breed - way out in the Arctic Ocean well north of Siberia/Alaska.

Photo: Robert Bush

Each satellite transmitter costs $5000 and there are further information downloading charges on an ongoing basis of up to $2000 over 2 years. Funding for 3 of the transmitters was obtained by a crowd funding initiative of BLA in mid 2015. 

Photo: Nigel Jackett/Broome Bird Observatory

As requested by 2 of the major donors to this 3 of the birds fitted with satellite transmitters today have been named "Ecosure", "Mymi" and "Nad".

 

Photo: Nigel Jackett/Broome Bird Observatory

We expect these 5 birds to remain in Roebuck Bay for several more weeks before departing on migration sometime in April. Further news will be circulated when anything interesting happens, but that may not be for several weeks.

 

Photo: Nigel Jackett/Broome Bird Observatory

Katherine Leung, Grace Maglio, Chris Hassell, Clive Minton - Grey Plover Satellite tracking Team, Broome

The travel traces of "Ecosure" LLA 154188 (White), "Mymi" LLH 154189 (Red)  & "Nad" LLJ 154191 (Cyan) plus un-named 154190 (Magenta) & 154192 (Orange).