Band-rumped storm petrel in Montaña Clara

This fieldwork is part of two ongoing projects, SEAGHOSTS and AMPLIAMAR, that share complementary goals and approaches.

Under the leadership of PhD student Beñat García, the team—comprising research assistant Adrián Pina, Dr. Raül Ramos, and volunteer Inés Coca—the team has been deploying GPS tracking devices on the storm-petrels’ back and tail feathers. This will help researchers better understand their movements, feeding habits, and migratory patterns. The Montaña Clara population stands out as one of the few winter-breeding storm-petrel groups, offering an opportunity to explore their unique life cycle.

SEAGHOSTS aims to improve knowledge about storm-petrels across Europe through understanding storm-petrels' distribution, feeding habits, and seasonal movements to identify unique populations and develop tools to support their conservation and ongoing research.

AMPLIAMAR complements this work by expanding tracking efforts on poorly known seabird species and identifying key biodiversity areas, that provide critical data to strengthen marine protection through updates to the Natura 2000 network and the expansion of Marine Protected Areas (RAMPE).

SEAGHOSTS might provide detailed data on storm-petrels that AMPLIAMAR could use to identify KBAs and guide the expansion of marine protection areas. Together, these projects might create a more comprehensive approach to seabird research and conservation.

Both projects are supported by the Fundación Biodiversidad, under the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge. AMPLIAMAR project is also funded through the Pleamar Program co-financed by the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund (FEMPA) of the European Union. Collaborators include the fishing guilds of Ciutadella and San Pedro del Pinatar, the Andalusian Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds (FACOPE), and the Provincial Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds of Alicante.

To collect data on storm-petrel movements and behaviors, the projects will use a combination of advanced tracking devices:

• GPS Devices by Pathtrack: These global positioning systems will provide precise location data, allowing researchers to monitor real-time movements and behavior patterns of the tagged seabirds. The obtained tracks might look as the one upon. 

• MicroGPS by Technosmart: These devices come with a solar-powered battery and remote downloading capabilities, enabling efficient and sustainable data collection without needing frequent retrieval.

• Light-Level Geolocators: These devices work by detecting light levels to estimate the bird's location, helping track large-scale migratory movements and providing information on whether the birds are in contact with seawater. This data allows researchers to infer seabird activity—whether they are resting on water (geolocator wet), flying (geolocator dry), or foraging (frequent shifts between wet and dry states).

As the fieldwork concludes in the coming days, the team will start analyzing the data gathered during this campaign. The findings could offer valuable insights into the band-rumped storm-petrel's ecology and contribute to a better understanding of seabird conservation. The research may also have broader benefits for other species that share similar habitats.

The collaboration between SEAGHOSTS and AMPLIAMAR showcases how targeted research and teamwork can enhance our understanding of marine life and support conservation planning. This ongoing work is an important step toward promoting a sustainable future for seabirds and their environments.

Stay connected for updates as we continue to learn more about these fascinating seabirds and the ecosystems they call home.