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.
2026
In February 2026, GPS-GSM transmitters were successfully deployed on Yelkouan shearwaters in the Gulf of Kalloni (Lesvos Island, Greece), an important foraging area for the species.
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.