2009 Tracking of birds aged 5-6

Mid January 2009 the Department of Conservation head ranger at Taiaroa Head and Massey University doctosral student Bindi Thomas fitted $5,000 transmitters to a male and female bird, both aged 5 or 6. This technology will allow for the first time actual data about the feeding behaviour and migratory patterns of adolescent birds for up to a year.

Researchers have only been able to rely on assumptions made after studying dead birds washed up in South America but with this new technology they should have a clearer idea of what the birds get up to while they spend up to 80% of their life at sea.

The albatrosses should leave Taiaroa Head around March but until then we will still be able to gather data as the birds go out to feed and return

Latest Update: 15 May 2009
No new data has come through. If anything changes, we will update this page.

Update: 27 April 2009
No new data has come through. There is always the chance with this technology and the use on wild, far ranging birds that anything could happen to prevent data coming through. The battery charge has been slowly decreasing since mid March so it could just be a temporary charging issue

Update: 15 April 2009
He has travelled a total minimum distance of 1200 km southwards in the last 12 days and is currently still on the Patagonian continental shelf, about 75 km north of the Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands are an archipelago located 480 km from the coast of Argentina and consist of two main islands (East Falkland and West Falkland), along with 776 smaller islands. Stanley, on East Falkland is the capital. Surrounded by the cool South Atlantic waters, the Falkland Islands have a climate very much influenced by the ocean with a narrow annual temperature range. (Inset: Saunders Island – part of the Falkland Islands)

Update: 4 April 2009
He is currently located about 250 km off the coast of Argentina, approximately 600 km southeast of Buenos Aires and has travelled a total minimum distance of 1900 km in the last 12 days. This area is known as the Patagonian continental shelf, well known for its abundant fisheries. The two major ocean currents that affect the area are the warm Brazil Current and cold Falkland Current.

Update: 23 March 2009
He is currently located approximately 300 km south of the Falkland Islands, having travelled a total minimum distance of 6600 km since the last update 12 days ago.

Update: 23 March 2009
He is currently located approximately 570 km southeast of Taiaroa Head, the furthest since tracking began in mid January, 2009. He spent the first month venturing up to 150 – 300 km from Taiaroa Head, returning every 1 – 2 days. However, since mid February, he has been returning to Taiaora Head less frequently with his last trip being on February 27, 2009.

Update: 10 March 2009
As time goes on, he is slowly venturing further away from Taiaroa Head, reaching as far north as Christchurch. He is still returning to Taiaroa Head, but the length of his time away is also increasing.

Update: Monday 2 February 2009
The transmitter from the male (88071) is sending in GPS locations at a six hourly interval, as expected, so working well.

However, 88070 is not working as well. She tested as well as the male and sent in regular GPS readings until about Jan 13/14, with the last GPS reading coming in on Jan 19. It did manage to send in data today but only the Argos locations (less accurate and calculated as a backup to the GPS). There could be a solar charging problem with the transmitter.