Elucidating continental-scale patterns of bird migration with weather radars

2026-07-22

Migration is a wide-spread phenomenon which allows animals of many different taxa to take advantage of seasonal variation in resource abundance . Radar is a powerful tool to observe and track migratory flights. In this action I will use the existing network of weather radars to investigate bird migration behaviour in relation to topography, weather and insect migration. A unique aspect of this action is that I will have access not only to the weather radar data, but also to complementary bird ringing and individual bird tracks, as well as data on insect migration from a small scale biological radar. The weather radars will provide data on bird migration patterns at the continental-scale; the ringing and tracking data will provide species composition and individual behaviour at specific points along the flyway; and the small-scale biological radars will provide more detailed information on insect and bird migration patterns at a specific site. Together this will give us a unique overview of the flux and behaviour of migratory animals across Europe, something that has never before been possible. Together this will give me a unique overview of the flux and behaviour of migratory animals across Europe, something that has never before been possible. The objectives of the work packages in this action will be: WP 1: To describe the flux of bird migration in relation to weather and topography across the European flyway, and relate this to insect migration, ringing and tracking data along the flyway. WP 2: To describe the flight behaviour of bird and insect migrants in relation to winds at both a continental and local scale, testing theoretical predictions of how migrants should use winds optimally. WP 3: To describe the nightly initiation and termination of bird migration across latitudes and how it changes with the seasonal progression of migration.

Denmark

2026-02-01