Follow the movements of the ivory gull!

imagetitleImage: Hallvard Strøm
To gain novel information on the migration and habitat use of the ivory gull Pagophila eburnea, 18 ivory gulls (10 from Svenskøya, Svalbard and 8 from Hayes Island, Franz Josef Land) were fitted with satellite transmitters in July and August 2007. In July 2008, two ivory gulls were fitted with solar powered satellite transmitters on Svenskøya. The transmitters will keep track of the gulls through the year, and we will be able to follow their movements from the breeding grounds, through the polar night and the return to their breeding areas from wintering quarters.
 
The ivory gull is a characteristic High Arctic species and has on average the northernmost breeding grounds of all birds. Due to its dependence on sea ice and it being a top predator in the Arctic food web, the ivory gull is at risk from climate changes and environmental pollution.
 
You can follow the movements of the ivory gulls tagged on Svalbard and Franz Josef Land here.
 
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News and updates

Friday February 20 2009

New web page Another field season is over and with it comes a new and refreshing look on the web site. We have introduced a new news page on the front page, where we will keep you updated on what is happening with the ivory gull project.

The 2008 season in the Russian Arctic

Tuesday February 17 2009

Helicopter Mi-8 on Komsomolets Island The fieldwork in the Russian Arctic this summer was concentrated largely on at-sea surveys of ivory gulls. Observations were conducted from the Russian R/v Akademik Fedorov which sailed from the Barents Sea throughout the entire North-East Passage to the Wrangel Island and back via the Arctic Basin.

Two new transmitters

Monday February 16 2009

Ivory gull with solar powered satellite transmitter Two ivory gulls were fitted with satellite transmitters on Svenskøya, Svalbard in summer 2008. The movements from early July and until now are already in the tracking map.

The 2008 season in Svalbard

Monday February 16 2009

The field season on Svalbard was successful also this year. We had excellent conditions during helicopter surveying and were able to do the best survey of the last three years.