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Scientific Vrijmibo: Taylor Craft and Marie Stessens

20-11-2024

Nov 20 2024 (15:00-17:00)
Location: Sânwalden room at Fryske Akademy



Movement decisions of Black-tailed godwit families in an intensively managed dairy farm landscape: juggling food and predation danger

In South-West Fryslân, Black-tailed godwit families navigate a landscape managed for dairy farming. This landscape consists of a mosaic of habitat types; intensive ryegrass monocultures alternate with extensively managed, herb-rich meadows. For godwits, the habitat in which they raise their chicks is crucial. Chicks need to find sufficient food to meet the high energy requirements necessary for growth as well as finding shelter for predation. The type of habitat in which precocial chicks grow up might therefore be key for pre-fledging survival.

Using 50 GPS-tracked families of Black-tailed godwits, we try to answer the following questions:

  1. How far do families travel during the pre-fledging period and how does this relate to A) the characteristics of the landscape and B) survival of the chicks? 
  2. Which types of management do godwit families seemingly select or avoid within this agricultural landscape?
  3. How significant is the influence of natal habitat type in relation to questions 1 and 2?

Agenda

In addition, we are currently organizing targeted work meetings, building on the traditions that we have developed during the Wadvogelwerk (Metawad-Waddenfonds), Kening fan ‘e Greide for many years, and the black-tailed godwit research in southwest Fryslân.

more activities

Centre for global ecological change at the University of Groningen

Birdeyes is a science and creative centre that views the world - almost literally - through the eyes of birds. More and more birds are flying around with tiny transmitters, loggers and other high technology on their backs and legs. This generates an unimaginable amount of information. By cleverly combining such data with other sources of information, and by using new ways to tell stories and share the insights with, BirdEyes strives to open up a new knowledge network. The centre aims to be an innovative part of the University of Groningen and is linked to the Rudolph Agricola School for Sustainable Development. BirdEyes, with empirical and inspirational roots in the farthest corners of the world.

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