This project aims to better understanding of the migratory movements of a species endemic to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, the Yelkouan shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan), which are still poorly understood to date. For this, we use GPS-GSM transmitters allowing detailed live tracking without the need for recapture, and falling naturally from the bird after a few weeks of tracking.
In February 2024, GPS/GSM transmitters were deployed on Yelkouan Shearwaters in the Istanbul Strait. This phase of the project aims to trace their ‘return’ routes towards their nesting sites.
In June-July 2022, GPS-GSM transmitters were deployed on Yelkouan shearwaters nesting in Malta and Tunisia. For the second phase of the project, a particular attention was given to the juveniles.
In June 2021, GPS-GSM transmitters were deployed for the first time on adult and juvenile Yelkouan shearwaters just before they leave their colony in Lastovo Archipelago (Croatia).
This CIESM program is co-financed by Prince Albert II Of Monaco Foundation. A financial contribution to the programme activities has been granted by the Foundation for a four-year period (2020-2024).