Tracking migration of the Yelkouan shearwater

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.

2025

Following the success of our first mission led in the Istanbul Strait in February 2024, a second mission was organized in October 2025 aiming to continue to better understand the migratory movements of this vulnerable seabird.

2024

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.

2022

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.

2021

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).

A financial contribution to the programme activities (2020-2025) has been granted by the Prince Albert II Of Monaco Foundation.