NDLI: Testing an attachment method for solar-powered tracking devices on a long-distance migrating shorebird

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Chan, Ying Chi Brugge, Maarten Tibbitts, T. Lee Dekinga, Anne Porter, Ron Klaassen, Raymond H. G. Piersma, Theunis
Copyright Year	2015
Abstract	Small solar-powered satellite transmitters and GPS data loggers enable continuous, multi-year, and global tracking of birds. What is lacking, however, are reliable methods to attach these tracking devices to small migratory birds so that (1) flight performance is not impacted and (2) tags are retained during periods of substantial mass change associated with long-distance migration. We developed a full-body harness to attach tags to Red Knots (Calidris canutus), a medium-sized shorebird (average mass 124 g) that undertakes long-distance migrations. First, we deployed dummy tags on captive birds and monitored them over a complete migratory fattening cycle (February–July 2013) during which time they gained and lost 31–110 g and underwent a pre-alternate moult of body feathers. Using each individual’s previous year fattening and moult data in captivity as controls, we compared individual mass and moult differences between years between the tagged and reference groups, and concluded that the attachment did not impact mass and moult cycles. However, some birds shed feathers under the tags and under the polyester harness line commonly used in avian harnesses. Feather shedding was alleviated by switching to smoothed-bottom tags and monofilament harness lines. To field-trial this design, we deployed 5-g satellite transmitters on ten Red Knots released on 3 October 2013 in the Dutch Wadden Sea. Bird movements and tag performance appeared normal. However, nine tags stopped transmitting 11–170 days post-release which was earlier than expected. We attribute this to bird mortality rather than failure of the attachments or transmitters and suggest that the extra weight and drag caused by the tag and its feather-blocking shield increased the chance of depredation by the locally common Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus). Our results demonstrate that species- and place-specific contexts can strongly determine tagging success. While captive trials are an important first step in developing an attachment method, field trials are essential to fully assess attachment designs. Test einer Befestigungsmethode für solargetriebene Peilsender bei einem langstreckenziehenden Watvogel Kleine solargetriebene Satellitensender und GPS-Datenlogger ermöglichen das kontinuierliche und globale Verfolgen von Vögeln über mehrere Jahre. Was jedoch fehlt sind verlässliche Methoden, die Geräte an kleinen Zugvögeln zu befestigen, so dass (1) die Flugleistung nicht beeinträchtigt wird und (2) die Geräte in Zeiten erheblicher Körpermasseschwankungen, wie sie während des Langstreckenzuges auftreten, befestigt bleiben. Wir haben ein Ganzkörpergeschirr entwickelt, um Geräte am Knutt (Calidris canutus), einem mittelgroßen langstreckenziehenden Watvogel (durchschnittliche Köpermasse 124 g), zu befestigen. Zunächst haben wir Geräteattrappen bei in Gefangenschaft gehaltenen Vögeln eingesetzt und die Tiere über einen gesamten Zugzyklus hinweg beobachtet (Februar bis Juli 2013). In diesem Zeitraum gewannen und verloren sie 31–110 g an Masse und machten eine Pränuptialmauser der Körperfedern durch. Für jedes Individuum verwendeten wir die in Gefangenschaft gewonnenen Daten zu Fettreserven und Mauser aus dem vorherigen Jahr als Kontrolldaten und verglichen dann die individuellen Köpermasse- und Mauserunterschiede zwischen den Jahren von besenderten Tieren und unbesenderten Referenztieren. Wir fanden keinen Einfluss auf Körpermasse- und Mauserzyklen. Einige Tiere verloren allerdings Federn unter den Geräten und unter den bei Vögeln üblicherweise verwendeten Polyester-Geschirrschnüren. Der Federverlust wurde durch das Verwenden von Geräten mit glatter Unterseite und Monofilament-Geschirrschnüren gemindert. Um dieses Design im Freiland zu testen, statteten wir zehn Knutts mit 5 g schweren Satellitensendern aus und ließen sie am 3. Oktober 2013 im niederländischen Wattenmeer frei. Die Bewegungen der Vögel und die Geräteleistung erschienen normal. Neun Sender stellten allerdings das Senden 11–170 Tage nach der Freilassung der Tiere ein, was früher als erwartet war. Wir führen dies nicht auf das Versagen der Sender oder ihrer Befestigung zurück. Vielmehr vermuten wir eine höhere Mortalität der Vögel aufgrund einer durch das zusätzlich Gewicht und den zusätzlichen Luftwiderstandes durch das Gerät sowie dessen die Federn abdeckenden Schirm erhöhten Prädation durch den lokal häufigen Wanderfalken (Falco peregrinus). Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, dass der art- und ortsspezifische Kontext den Besenderungserfolg deutlich beeinflussen kann. Während Vorversuche an in Gefangenschaft gehaltenen Vögeln einen wichtigen ersten Schritt beim Entwickeln einer Befestigungsmethode darstellen, sind Freilandversuche essenziell, um Befestigungsdesigns vollständig zu beurteilen.
Starting Page	277
Ending Page	287
Page Count	11
File Format	PDF
ISSN	21937192
Journal	Journal für Ornithologie
Volume Number	157
Issue Number	1
e-ISSN	21937206
Language	English
Publisher	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publisher Date	2015-08-28
Publisher Place	Berlin, Heidelberg
Access Restriction	Subscribed
Subject Keyword	Calidris canutus Harness design Satellite transmitter Tag retention Telemetry Zoology Ecology Fish & Wildlife Biology & Management
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article

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