Major hotspots detected along the Scotia Ridge in autumn for southern right whales Eubalaena australis, Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella and Antarctic prions Pachyptila desolata

We investigated the role of hydrological features, such as water masses, fronts, eddies, and sea ice, in affecting the distribution of upper trophic level species in the Scotia Sea region during autumn. On board RV Polarstern, we performed 365 30-min strip transects recording seabirds and marine mammals along the North Scotia Ridge and the South Sandwich Trench in March—April 2013. Among the 7 identified cetacean species recorded, the humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae was the most abundant baleen whale (40 individuals), and noteworthy were sightings of six southern right whales Eubalaena australis. Pinnipeds (3 species, 1650 individuals) were dominated by Antarctic fur seal Arctocephalus gazella (99%), and seabirds (36 species, 18900 individuals) by Antarctic prion Pachyptila desolata (~50%). The distribution of these top predators was highly patchy with the majority of observations concentrated in a few counts. This heterogeneity is likely a result of prey availability, and we discuss how hydrological features may have caused the patchiness

AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds

Functional traits offer a rich quantitative framework for developing and testing theories in evolutionary biology, ecology and ecosystem science. However, the potential of functional traits to drive theoretical advances and refine models of global change can only be fully realised when species‐level information is complete. Here we present the AVONET dataset containing comprehensive functional trait data for all birds, including six ecological variables, 11 continuous morphological traits, and information on range size and location. Raw morphological measurements are presented from 90,020 individuals of 11,009 extant bird species sampled from 181 countries. These data are also summarised as species averages in three taxonomic formats, allowing integration with a global phylogeny, geographical range maps, IUCN Red List data and the eBird citizen science database. The AVONET dataset provides the most detailed picture of continuous trait variation for any major radiation of organisms, offering a global template for testing hypotheses and exploring the evolutionary origins, structure and functioning of biodiversity

Reinforcement of Black grouse population in High Fens (Belgium) - report of translocation in 2019 and state of High fens population. Final report 2019

Le renforcement de la dernière population de Tétras lyres de Belgique se poursuit pour la troisième année consécutive, grâce aux autorisations délivrées par les autorités suédoises et wallonnes et à l’engagement renouvelé de nos partenaires. Un total de 25 Tétras lyres (10 coqs et 15 poules) capturés en Suède, répartis en 2 lots de captures matinales, ont été transportés et lâchés avec succès du 27 avril au 28 avril 2019 en Fagne wallonne (Réserve Naturelle des Hautes Fagnes, Parc Naturel des Hautes Fagnes, Province de Liège). Treize d’entre eux, 6 coqs et 7 poules, ont été équipés d’émetteurs GPS GSM Ornitela afin de suivre leurs mouvements et leur survie. 4 coqs et 8 poules ont été relâchés sans émetteur. Le rapport détaille ensuite le suivi de l'ensemble de ces individus, ainsi que l'état de la population fagnarde et des individus relâchés les années précédentes. Le rapport fait aussi état d'une excellente reproduction en 2019, confirmé par un comptage automnal. L'état d'avancement du projet d'élevage "Born to be Free" est aussi abordé

Support to the Black Grouse population reinforcement in Belgium: Report on the 2022 restocking operation of the last Belgian breeding population of Black Grouse in the Hautes Fagnes Nature Reserve, within the Hautes Fagnes (High Fens) Natural Park.

This report 2022 summarizes the main results of the translocation operation in spring 2022 on the population of Black grouses in High Fens (Belgium) coming from Sweden, after two years without any translocation due to the health crisis of the COVID19. These results focused notably on survival rates, causes of mortality (essentially predation), and reproduction. The displacement of individuals tracked with a GPS-emittors is also introduced

Le tétras lyre en Hautes Fagnes: où en sommes nous?

L'oiseau emblème des hautes Fagnes est menacé: Pour sauver la dernière population de Tétras lyre de Belgique, des opérations de renforcement de population ont été menées à partir de tétras capturés en Suède pour la troisième année consécutive