Prized satellite tracking of raptors
Satellite tracking of raptors has given rise to two outstanding research papers
which have been awarded a prestigious European honour.
The paper winning the Watson Raptor Science Prize 2014is by Dr Raymond
Klaassen and colleagues, entitled: ‘When and where does mortality occur in
migratory birds? Direct evidence from long-term satellite tracking of raptors’,
published in the Journalof Animal Ecology.
Published in an ecological journal with one of the highest impact factors,
this paper gave important new information on where and when satellite-tagged
raptors died on migration. Mortality rates were six times higher in migration
periods than in the rest of the year, but as these periods are relatively short only
about half the annual mortality occurred during migration.
Dr Raymond Klaassen commented: “It is always sad to see that a bird you fitted
with a satellite transmitter has died. However, we realised that these mortality
events actually provide unique information about critical periods in the annual
cycle of migrants, an issue most relevant for conservation. Sadly, our results also
indicate that illegal persecution is still a major issue for migrating raptors. ”
This annual prize has been established to recognize the mostoutstanding, peer
reviewed scientific publication on raptor ecology, based on research undertaken
in Europe. Established in the names of the late Donald and Jeff Watson, this
award forms part of a unique initiative to establish the Watson Bird Centre, andSt
John’s Town of Dalry in Galloway, SW Scotland, as a bird town.
On reviewing a large number of publications in 2013 the selection panel,
comprising Professors Des Thompson (Chair), Ian Newton FRS and Steve
Redpath, was unanimous in selecting this paper.
In addition, the panel specially commended another outstanding paper, by C.
Trierweiler and colleagues, entitled: ‘A Palaearctic migratory raptor species
tracks shifting prey availability within its wintering range in the Sahel’, also
published in the Journal of Animal Ecology.
Co-author Ben Koks commented: “Mapping migration routes and wintering areas
using satellite transmitters was not the endpoint of our research. Instead, it
formed the starting point of a series of rather exciting expeditions to areas ‘our’
Montagu’s Harriers used during migration and in winter. On the tail of our
transmitter birds we observed harriers struggling in depleted landscapes in
Europe and Africa. “
Commenting on the selection, Professor Des Thompson stated: “Excellent
research on raptors is being carried out in Europe, and we were struck this year
by the superb findings emerging from satellite tracking of raptors. Raymond
Klaassen, Ben Koks and colleagues have shown just how hazardous migration is
for raptors. They provide an impressive quantification of fitness costs of
migration. Our Prize Panel was spoilt for choice given the range of high quality
science being published on raptors. ”
Director of the Watson Bird Festival, Roger Crofts, commented: “Watson Birds is
all about celebrating excellence, and the Watson Raptor Science Prize is a
unique contribution. I thank the panel for their meticulous work. And I join the
Panel members to warmly congratulate the authors of both papers. All that
remains is for as many people as possible to join us on Saturday 20th September
in Dalry to hear the talks by the authors and join in what is bound to be a
stimulating debate on these wider implications of the research. I’m especially
pleased that we will have Roy Dennis join us to talk about his work on raptors.”
Notes
1. Meet the winners: Raymond Klaassen and Ben Koks will give public
lectures on the two papers at St John’s Town of Dalry on Saturday 20
September from 2.00pm. Roy Dennis shall also be speaking. Details of
the Watson Bird Centre and how to get to Dalry are found
here:file:///C:/Users/apdt/Downloads/Watson_Birds_2014_Festival_progra
mme.pdf
2. The full details of the winning paper are:
Klaassen, R. H. G., Hake, M., Strandberg, R., Koks, B. J., Trierweiler, C.,
Exo, K.-M., Bairlein, F., Alerstam, T. (2014). When and where does
mortality occur in migratory birds? Direct evidence from long-term satellite
tracking of raptors. Journal of Animal Ecology, 83: 176–184.
doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.12135.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.12135/abstract
3. The full details of the specially commended paper are:
Trierweiler, C., Mullié, W. C., Drent, R. H., Exo, K.-M., Komdeur, J.,
Bairlein, F., Harouna, A., de Bakker, M., Koks, B. J. (2013). A Palaearctic
migratory raptor species tracks shifting prey availability within its wintering
range in the Sahel. Journal of Animal Ecology, 82: 107–120.
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2012.02036.x.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.13652656.2012.02036.x/abstract
4. The Watson Raptor Science Prize is in its fourth year. This annual prize,
established in the name of the late Donald and Jeff Watson, was set up to
recognise the most outstanding, peer-reviewed scientific publication on
raptor ecology, based on research undertaken in Europe. The 2013
Prizewas awarded to Professor Miguel Ferrer and colleagues for a study
of risks of raptor mortality from wind farms:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.13652664.2011.02054.x/abstract. The runner-up was a study of the former
distribution of golden eagles and sea eagles determined by place names
in Britain and Ireland, awarded to Richard Evans and colleagues:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00063657.2012.683388#previ
ew. The 2012 Prize was awarded to Dr FabrizioSergio for his paper:
‘Raptor nest decorations are a reliable threat against conspecifics’.
Science (2011), 331: 327-330. A paper by Dr Arjun Amar and colleagues
at the RSPB on Orkney’s hen harriers was specially commended:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.13652664.2010.01896.x/abstract. The 2011 Prize was awarded to Dr Jen
Smart and colleagues at the RSPB for their research paper on persecution
of red kites in the Scottish Highlands:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/smart_amar_sim_et_al_2010_tcm9248263.pdf
Ends.