Bird tracking system: prototype of a LifeWatch virtual laboratory
Tracking bird movement and behaviour at multiple scales in space and time is no easy task. A team at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) developed a flexible, state of the art, Bird Tracking System, the UvA-BiTS (<a href="http://www.uva-bits.nl/">http://www.uva-bits.nl/</a>). It is a prototype of a LifeWatch virtual lab.
The system includes a solar powered, light weight GPS tag with rechargeable batteries, a tri-axial accelerometer, two way data-communication to a ground station network, automated data processing and visualization in the Virtual Lab. The virtual lab was based on earlier experiences with a virtual lab on a Bird Avoidance Model (Airplane-bird strikes): http://public.flysafe.sara.nl/bambas/.
Researchers from multiple organizations are working with this system to study migration, navigation, foraging strategies on land and at sea. The system will continue to develop fostering research needs of a diverse community.
Researchers from multiple organizations are working with this system to study migration, navigation, foraging strategies on land and at sea. The system will continue to develop fostering research needs of a diverse community.
