The research
Research Tools & Techniques
Seabird research combines long-term monitoring at colonies with new ways of following birds at sea.
Monitoring at the colony
The foundation of seabird science is counting. Researchers count nests and birds, and follow breeding success from egg to fledgling. Long-running studies, some spanning decades, are among the most valuable data in marine science.
Ringing and banding
A numbered ring on a bird's leg lets researchers follow it through its life. Ringing reveals survival, age at first breeding, dispersal and lifespan. It requires training and permits.
Diet studies
Researchers collect food dropped by adults, regurgitated meals and pellets. Stable isotopes in feathers and blood reveal what a bird has eaten and where, over weeks or months.
Beached bird surveys
Regular walks along a set stretch of coast, recording dead birds, can reveal mass die-offs, oil pollution and plastic ingestion. Many of these surveys are run by trained volunteers.
Get involved
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