Our Research: Satellite Tracking

Our team attaches satellite transmitters to Great Bustards using custom-fitted backpack-style harnesses. The capture process is streamlined and fast, lasting only 15-20 minutes. These transmitters relay detailed information about our bustards' locations through a satellite connection, allowing our team to collect high-resolution movement data without frequently disturbing these incredibly wary birds. Learn about bustards we have tagged.

We use this data to determine conservation parameters for these populations. Our master's student B. Dashnyam visits sites frequently used by Great Bustards to investigate habitat requirements on their breeding grounds. We are able to monitor these birds as they travel long-distance, on their annual migration. And the transmitters also notify us of the death of the Great Bustard, which we investigate to determine causes of mortality.

These transmitters have allowed our team to make several important preliminary findings on Mongolian populations of Great Bustards. Notably, we have found migratory routes twice as long as have previously been recorded for this species! We have also identified poaching as a key threat to the species in this region.

We share these findings with conservation organizations, government agencies and academic groups in order to advance the conservation of this species. We also engage in a "two-way" exchange of information with local people through both formal and informal programs.

Tracking News

Half-way home

The bustards we are monitoring have made it to the Bayanur oasis in Inner Mongolia - half-way from their wintering site in Chinato their breeding grounds in northern Mongolia April 2012

 

Bosoo Bustard Poached near Mining Site

Bosoo, one of the bustards whome we monitor via satellite telemetry, died on her migration south towards her wintering grounds. An investigation revealed that she had been poached near a mining site in south Gobi desert. Her transmitter was discarded not far from a road. January 2012

 

Nergui reaches her wintering grounds

Nergui, a female bustard we have been tracking since 2007, is the first of our tagged bustards to reach her wintering grounds in Central China this year. Temperatures at her wintering ground are currently 17 to 41°F (-6 to 5°C). Meanwhile, temperatures at her breeding grounds are -6 to 21°F (-21 to -6°C). December 2011

 

Two new bustards join our team

We've custom-fit backpack transmitters for two new female bustards: Bosoo and Mendee. We're looking forward to observing them on their fall migration. July 2011

 

Toson bustard Predated

En route to our field site we have investigated the death of one of the bustards we have been tracking. Feathers and bones were scattered about the site of death at a migratory stopover. Interviews with local families report an increased number of foxes following the previous winter's dzud (winter weather disaster). Dzud cause mass casualties of livestock, upon which predators then feed. May 2011

 

Songuul' - a Victim of the Wild Meat trade

Songuul', a bustard we have tracked for three years, died on her wintering grounds. An investigation located her transmitter, which had been discarded alongside a bowl and empty chemical vials. Local people spoke of "professionals" who visit the area to poison wild birds and sell the meat to "wild meats" restaurants. April 2011

 

Nest Failures

This fall our team re-located Nergüi and Songuul, from whom we had received transmissions indicating nesting behavior this spring. Unfortunately, neither was accompanied by a chick. Investigations revealed that a field in which Songuul nested was plowed while she was incubating the eggs. After losing this nest, she attempted to lay another set of eggs which were also lost. Great Bustards in Europe have very low reproductive rates, due to losses of eggs and chicks to farm machinery, predators (foxes, crows), and insufficient food supplies. It appears as though these may also be problems for Central Asian Great Bustards. September 2010

 

Investigation of Ulaana's Death

A colleague in China has traveled to the site of death of one of our bustards with transmitters (Ulaana). Unfortunately, the cause of death could not be determined because the field in which she died had been ploughed before money was available for the investigation to be undertaken. Understanding the causes of mortality these populations of Great Bustard experience is crucial to their conservation. Your financial support can help us to respond more rapidly when these events occur. October 2010

 

Our Bustards are Nesting!

We have received transmissions from two of our bustards, Nergüi and Songuul, indicating that they are now nesting. Great Bustards generally have a low reproductive rate, so we are keeping our fingers crossed that these two will successfully raise chicks this year! June 2010

 

Spring Migration Has Begun!

Nergüi and Songuul have arrived in Inner Mongolia (northern China), having flown 450 km (about 300 miles) from their wintering site in central China! April 2010

 

Tsengel Collides with Powerline

P. Carr has investigated the mortality of Tsengel - one of our bustards with a transmitter - on her wintering grounds in Central China. She died after colliding with a powerline. As heavy-bodied birds, Great Bustards are not highly maneuverable in flight, and are not able to avoid wires spotted at the last minute. Great Bustard collisions with powerlines are a common occurrence in developed Western Europe, and according to a local wildlife ranger, are becoming more frequent in China. January 2010
[+/-]

Notes from Previous Field Seasons: