© S. Neumann

Telemetry of divers – DiverLog

Aim of the DiverLog telemetry project is to determine the influences of offshore wind farms on red-throated diver populations. Open questions arisen from the results of the previous DIVER project shall additionally be answered.

How do offshore wind farms influence red-throated divers?

The German Bight is an important wintering area for the two diver species red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) and black-throated diver (Gavia arctica).

The previous project DIVER (2014 to 2018) investigated spatial and temporal dynamics of habitat use of divers in the German Bight in relation to offshore wind farms. The results showed that red-throated divers in the German Bight show stronger avoidance behaviour towards offshore wind farms than previously assumed. Habitat loss is therefore much more severe.

However, little is known about the impacts of habitat loss and displacement and how populations or individual fitness of red-throated divers are affected. These questions will be addressed in the DiverLog project.

 

Project objectives

  • To determine habitat preferences for the Baltic and North Sea and to calculate avoidance distances to offshore wind farms using habitat models
  • To investigate the food spectrum to support the interpretation of habitat selection in the wintering areas
  • To characterise diving or foraging behaviour during the winter season
  • To calculate the energy expenditure during different activities
  • To identify the impact of offshore wind farms on the red-throated diver population using individual-based models (IBMs)

 

Methods

Over three years, red-throated divers will be equipped with data loggers in their resting area in the German North Sea. Use of up-to-date GPS loggers allows tracking the exact movement patterns. With the help of integrated pressure sensors, the foraging behaviour of the red-throated divers can additionally be recorded.

In a previous study between 2014 and 2018, red-throated divers in the German Bight in the North Sea have already been tagged to investigate the birds' migration movements and behaviour towards offshore wind farms (see papers and reports). Modern GPS loggers and immersion sensors now allow for significantly more accurate measurements of red-throated diver behaviour over the year and in relation to offshore wind farms.

Papers and reports

Kleinschmidt, B., Dorsch, M., Heinänen, S., Morkunas, J., Schumm, Y.R., Žydelis, R. & Quillfeldt, P. (2022)

Prevalence of Haemosporidian Parasites in an Arctic Breeding Seabird Species -The Red-Throated Diver (Gavia stellata)

Microorganisms 2022, 10, 2147

https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10112147

Kleinschmidt, B., Burger, C., Bustamante, P., Dorsch, M., Heinänen, S., Morkūnas, J., Žydelis, R., Nehls, G. & Quillfeldt, P. (2022)

Annual movements of a migratory seabird - the NW European red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) - reveals high individual repeatability but low migratory connectivity

Marine Biology. 169. 10.1007/s00227-022-04096-x

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362853200_Annual_movements_of_a_migratory_seabird-the_NW_European_red-throated_diver_Gavia_stellata-reveals_high_individual_repeatability_but_low_migratory_connectivity

Heinänen, S., Žydelis, R., Kleinschmidt, B., Dorsch, M., Burger, C., Morkunas, J., Quillfeldt, P., Nehls, G. (2020)

Satellite telemetry and digital aerial surveys show strong displacement of red-throated divers (Gavia stellata) from offshore wind farms

Marine Environmental Research. 160. 104989. 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.104989.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340666842_Satellite_telemetry_and_digital_aerial_surveys_show_strong_displacement_of_red-throated_divers_Gavia_stellata_from_offshore_wind_farms

Kleinschmidt, B., Burger, C., Dorsch, M., Nehls, G., Heinänen, S., Morkūnas, J., Žydelis, R., Moorhouse-Gann, R.J., Hipperson, H., Symondson, W.O.C., & Quillfeldt, P. (2019)

The diet of red-throated divers (Gavia stellata) overwintering in the German Bight (North Sea) analysed using molecular diagnostics.

Marine Biology 2019 166:77

https://rdcu.be/bCQ7L

Dorsch, M., Burger, C., Heinänen, S., Kleinschmidt, B., Morkūnas, J., Nehls, G., Quillfeldt, P., Schubert, A. & Žydelis, R. (2019)

DIVER – German tracking study of seabirds in areas of planned Offshore Wind Farms at the example of divers.

Final report on the joint project DIVER, FKZ 0325747A/B, funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi).

Further information

Please refer to the project homepage https://www.divertracking.com for more information on DiverLog.

Contact