Environmental change is a major threat to biodiversity and it affects both the distribution and movements of animals. Migrant birds in particular, have been adapting to environmental change by shortening their migration period or distance, or stop migrating and founding resident populations. It is crucial to understand the movements of birds so we can predict how they will be affected by future environmental change.
This project will involve tracking white storks ( Ciconia ciconia ) and simultaneously monitor the environmental conditions which individual birds experience. I will use GPS/GSM loggers equipped with sensors that will monitor the bird’s movements, behaviour, and environmental parameters that may affect their dispersal and movement. I will also monitor how changes in environmental conditions affect the movement, migratory behaviour and mortality of resident and migratory white storks.