The environmental determinants of dispersal and migratory behaviour of long lived birds

In recent years, evidence has grown that the migratory behaviour of many bird species is changing in response to changing environmental conditions. In particular, non-migratory individuals have been reported in previously wholly migratory populations. These rapid changes in migratory behaviour provide an opportunity to both identify the mechanisms through which complex and highly evolved behaviours can adapt to changing environmental conditions, and to explore the consequence of these changes for migratory populations and their potential role in ongoing population declines, particularly for sub-Saharan migrants. Migration is likely to be advantageous whenever there is sufficient environmental variation to benefit individuals that move to exploit spatial variation in resource availability or quality. Changes to environmental conditions can alter the selection pressures operating on migratory behaviour, hence the frequency of residency and migratory individuals can vary in response to changes in environmental conditions. This information is difficult to obtain since the environmental data is not available at the scale individuals experience it.

This project will involve tracking white storks (large, long-lived birds) and simultaneously monitor the environmental conditions which individual birds experience. Our current GPS/GSM loggers can record accelerometer and temperature data but new sensors are needed to monitor other environmental parameters that may affect dispersal and movement (wind speed, direction, humidity). We will monitor how changes in environmental conditions will affect the movement, migratory behaviour and mortality of resident and migratory white storks.
Objectives:
- Incorporate new sensors in existing dataloggers and create new prototypes that simultaneous monitor bird movement (GPS), behavior (accelerometer) and environmental parameters (e.g. temperature, wind speed, barometer, atmosphere particulates )
- Identify the environmental determinants of dispersal and migratory behaviour, controlling for individual fitness, age and sex;
- Determine the influence of environmental parameters in demography of white storks including migration and over-winter survival, arrival date, nest-site selection, and breeding success;
Method:
White storks are a good study system because they are large long-lived species likely to have adaptable behaviour because they experience variation in environmental conditions through their lives. We will track the movement of 40 juveniles and 20 adults and their movement in response to changes in environmental conditions.
Student training
This project will train the PhD student on the interface between ecology and engineering. The student will be involved in assembling and testing new sensors for tracking devices, will be able to assess their performance in lab conditions and in the field, by deploying the devices on birds.
- Assembling tracking devices, testing of different batteries and solar panels (HWU and UEA);
- Assembling new sensors on existing tracking devices and testing its performance (energy demand and new design) (HWU);
- Programming of tracking devices and of specific sensors according to project requirements (e.g setting up geofences for different sensors) (UEA);
- Deployment of tracking devices on migratory and resident birds (UEA/Portugal);
- Movement and behavior data analyses and interpretation (UEA);
- Demography and survival analyses of birds with different movement strategies (UEA and BTO).
This position comes from the NEXUSS CDT which provides state-of-the-art, highly experiential training in the application and development of cutting-edge Smart and Autonomous Observing Systems for the environmental sciences, alongside comprehensive personal and professional development.

Suitable first degree
1. Any earth or Environmental science discipline,
2. Engineering
3. Biology
4. Mathematics

Is funded by NERC under the Terrestial Theme specifically
1. Ecology and conservation
2. Zoology and animal science
3. Ecology and conservation
4. Environmental Science
5. Engineering