In order to track where sea ducks take a trip on their migration journey and collect details on performing emergency situation action, biologists will be hanging around at the White Rock pier in the earliest hours of the early morning over the period of a couple of weeks.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 21– if weather condition authorizations– up until Dec. 16 at the most recent, Megan Ross, research study lead and other biologists with Environment and Environment Modification Canada will be established at the pier in the morning darkness with their webs, prepared to catch Scoters (sea ducks) that will be tagged with GPS transmitters.
” We’re attempting to catch Scoters– White-winged and Browse Scoters– and discover scale environment usage and motion in the Salish Sea,” Ross stated.
White Rock pier is a hot-spot for both types of Scoters since of the quantity of varnish clams– an intrusive clam that Scoters love to consume– the location needs to use.
According to Sean Boyd, research study researcher emeritus with Environment Canada, the clams were no place to be discovered some 40 years back, and now, in between west beach and the U.S. border, there are approximately 1 billion varnish clams since of how respected they are at reproducing.
A comparable procedure of tracking motion patterns on Scoters was made with in 2015’s population of birds in the location.
” In 2015, we had a male that reproduced in the Northwest Territories, then he took a trip to Alaska, then moulted off the coast of Alaska now he’s simply returned to the Salish Sea,” Ross stated.
The GPS trackers are precise within a couple meters of their motion.
Although the information is interesting for Ross and her equivalents, it can likewise play a big function in emergency situation action and assisting the birds if they require.
” We require to understand where the birds are, the number of of them there are and at what time of the year so that we can react if there was an emergency situation like an oil spill,” she stated.
For approximately one month’s time, the group for Ross’ research study will be trying to get their 25 GPS transmitters tagged on the birds, with the help of a vet.
Stationed in boats with webs laying on top of the water, they will wait on the Scoters to fly to the webs with decoys to bring in the Scoters in order to be tagged. Some will likewise have their feces tested for scientists to collect details on not just which environments the birds are utilizing, however what they are likewise consuming in those places.
The information will go on to help the nationwide emergency situation action groups to help them in their objective to safeguard the birds, Ross stated.
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