We tracked this falcon and what it did shocked scientists
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- Опубліковано 24 лип 2024
- Earlier in the year we GPS tagged two Lesser Kestrel juveniles, and now we're ready to show you our findings! The results have come as a surprise to the experts at DEMA who worked with us on this project, so we're excited to show this information to you all!
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⏱️TIMESTAMPS⏱️
00:00 Intro
01:00 Ecology
02:31 Our Project
🧐 ABOUT THIS VIDEO
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In our latest project we're spending a little over 10,000€ to tag four Lesser Kestrel juveniles. This year the first two of them were tagged and soon fledged the nest! The current GPS data from their flights tell two very different stories, one adhering to expectations and one throwing it all to the wind...
Typically organisations avoid tagging juvenile birds, as their high mortality compared to adults means there's a higher chance of incomplete data, but that means there's a big gap in our knowledge of how younger birds behave. As the first organisation (that we're aware of) to tag Lesser Kestrel juveniles, we saw this as an opportunity to break new ground rather than a risk!
Find out more on our project page here: mossy.earth/projects/lesser-k...
It's called "dispersion", and is natural for all birds of prey. As a falconer for more than 4 decades, I can attest to this behavior. When they "leave the nest", they can travel far and wide. One of my young gyrfalcons flew off once during early training and wandered about for over 50 miles. I tracked him with telemetry and was able to retrieve him just before sunset. Interestingly, after flying every direction on the compass, the falcon was headed back home, and knew exactly where that was. Amazing.
I know nothing about birds (except that they aren’t real) but isn’t it quite something else to fly over 1000 km compared to 50 miles?
@@JackFate76 mossi hasn't flown that megameter in less than 12 hours though
It was shocking to every scientists when the falcon went to the city and ordered a big mac with french fries.
Given that Mossy flew right over Madrid, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of it visiting a drive through on the way... That's my favourite hypothesis so far at least! - Tom
I can confirm this is true. I was the worker flipping the bird’s patties.
Mossy: I would like to order one big mac and french fries. Money; what is that ? I do accept donations though ! See you when i come back from my holiday to the pyrenees ! Cheers !
I’m as happy as a bird with a French fry
It was not so shocking when the falcon died of a heart attack a year later.
It never ceases to amaze how wide a range of projects you can cover!
It's only possible thanks to everyone's support! - Tom
I have the honor of finding one of these guys during my military service in northern Cyprus. There was a giant tree where i liked to read books and gaze into sky under it's shade during quiet times. One particularly hot and fateful day, i saw a bird crashing into a bush nearby. The bird looked exhausted and dehydrated so i tossed my shirt over it grabbed it. Whole station was immediately in love with it's beauty and anything that breaks the anguish of military routine is something to cherish. We made a cage from twigs and sticks. Patrolling soldiers were bringing insects in their pockets. After two days the bird had enough and started biting the cage so i released it. It never came back around and we took no offense as none of the soldiers would come back if they had the chance to be somewhere else.
You have shared a wonderful memory. For that time you all received peace. I imagine you revisit those moments often. And now so shall I.
Surprised you didn't make a friend of him or her! Our American Kestrels are considered a falconers first bird, because they tame down EXTREMELY quickly, as soon as you feed them once, maximum twice. But they are know to get TOO friendly, and refuse to fly, because they want to hang out with you ALL the time rather than hit that mouse or grasshopper!
@@melhawk6284guess she/he had somewhere else to be. But i would like to have such companion when i am an old and retired.
The north of Cyprus is illegally occupied by the Turks.
Nobody cares because there is no easy to pump-up oil.
I have seen pictures, dreadful place, no respect for culture.
Reading in trees presents its own challenges, like having to let go with one hand to turn pages.
What beautiful little birds, they are!
The young albatross which leave New Zealand, are known for their exploratory journeys which take them beyond their normal range. Dispersing to new territory improves a species' chance of survival, so maybe a small percentage of these birds always has the urge to wander further afield, and you just happened to find one in Mossy. Whatever, I hope he stays healthy and keeps his back pack sending you messages until it falls off.
And I really, really hope he doesn't get killed by a power line like all those other beautiful birds. And they talk about the damage that the wind generators do!
Hi Annie, thank you for the interesting facts on Albatross! I believe Kestrels are known to disperse at a later age, but perhaps what we are finding with this behaviour is proof that it is not always the case. More research needed :) - Cheers, Duarte
That'll be a typical agenda, pushed by big oil and their lackies. #DetestTheTories
Mossy is much more likely to get murdered by a house cat, than a wind turbine.
Big buildings with large window areas do much more damage than wind turbines...it's just a fact, one that is too often unknown to anti-windpower folks...
I'm intrigued to see where Mossy and Lumi end up over the next months.
Me too, I'm sure they'll continue to provide some good insight! - Tom
GPS tracking is always so fascinating! I support the hypothesis of a sibling fall out... Great work Mossy Earth :)
They did follow similar paths up to a certain point, I wouldn't rule out some family drama! - Tom
I'm glad I happened across your vids a bit back - was an algorithm thing because of a guy I watch who unclogs culverts and does nature walks. Loved what you're doing and became a member and am continually impressed by what you do.
hey Neth, thank you for the reference to unclogging culverts - gave it a search and was not disappointed.
Neth Dugan, look at bird bath
@@claypunk7718 try bird bath 149
Thank you Neth, that really means a lot to us all. We are a small group trying to do our best here so this kind of feedback makes us really really happy :) - Cheers, Duarte
Post10?
My thoughts on the uncharacteristic trajectory of your juvenile lesser kestral : Suspiciously, it would seem that previous data on Kestral preferred habitat and travel routing, have been collected with erroneous and prejudiced judgement sometime in the past. This has precluded and tainted the understanding of these birds habits, and may force you to re-examine, study, and rewrite the behavioural characteristics of lesser kestrels. Perhaps you'll find new wintering sights, and other habitats of these very interesting Avians. Hopefully, you look at this project as exciting and mysterious, as I certainly do. How exciting!!! Good luck to you!
I think Mossy has seen better views in just a few weeks than us in our whole life 🙈 They're adorable!
My first career was commercial logging.
You would be shocked by how many birds, like falcons & crows hang around the woods where trees are being felled. They know that there are snacks a plenty to be had!
for a while. then there is only nothing. Surely as gd intended , right?
They have something to prove after being called ‘lesser’ kestrels
They certainly didn't look impressed! We've got to find some kinder taxonomists before we upset too many species... - Tom
Curious that I have never heard a scientist referred to as a "Lesser Scientist". Maybe when Kestrels do taxonomy we'll have more of it.
😂😂😂
Interesting video. We have Hawks and Eagles in NE Wa, US. Twice I've seen them ambush Doves, waiting under a huge spruce tree in our front yard. Early in the morning they wait, then pounce on their prey. It looks like an explosion of feathers when they do this, taking the Dove to the ground and holding it until it's mostly given up fighting it's demise. The Hawk not being much bigger than the Dove, then flies off with it, amazingly. Where are all the birds? I started talking to the Dove that comes to our bird bath, it will sit and listen to me for 10-20 minutes, coming as close as 5 ft from me while sitting near the bird bath. It seems to enjoy my guitar and singing as it will show up often while I'm out back playing. I had a Night Hawk circle around me and my van one early morning before sunrise, 7 times! It then flew off and came back to do the same thing again! It then landed on my van to check out the little XM radio antennae with a small wire on it that must have looked like a mouse to it, lol. I love birds of all types. We also have a few Cedar Wax Wings that come by occasionally. I've watched as the Dove was sitting on a telephone pole and a Crow flew up quickly and sat down right next to the Dove, within inches. The Dove did not move, they obviously have a relationship and feel safe. If an Eagle or Hawk come over, the Crows gang up and run them off! The Crows are the Police of the bird community and apparently the other birds know it. Just thought I'd share, Anybody else observe this behavior? Thanks. Enjoy Peace
Thank you for the regular updates!
It's our pleasure, thanks for watching! - Tom
That was fascinating and made me rethink if the nature conservation rout isn't where I actually should be headed in future. Right now I'm on a recovery route, so to speak. I've always cared about nature and tried to help out. Including working in shelters and taking in animals in need of help.
sometimes i wish i went into wildlife science and conservation, it seems so fun and fulfilling to handle and observe wildlife. mad respect for people who do this (and how much work it is!!)
Amazing to see that not only you base yourself on studies but you also make studies yourselfs about the species. Allways showing why mossy earth is different from other organisations
Thanks Joaquim
the kestrel is a friendly looking useful bird
Great video as usual! I find it so impressive that these little birds are so resilient, hope Mossy and Lumi will be okay!
Us too!
It reminds me at the theory that some individuals have an “explorer” gen that makes them seek out new frontiers
Juveniles finding new grounds, in a sort of wanderlust does make sense.
Your efforts made me cry. I pray one day I may be able to donate to all that you do!
Thank you very much❣️🙏🏻
Kestrels have been my favorite birds to watch for years. I have always found them to be fascinating hunters. And so secretive, at the end of the day as the sun goes down, regarding the location of their nest or roosting spot. Super smart and beautuful.
Those abandoned electrical towers with the bird corpses was horrific. I have never seen such a terrifying and heartbreaking sight.😢😢😢😢😢Thank you, all of you.🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗💗💗💗💗💗💖💐💐💐🇺🇸💋
Always well written and produced. Thank you!
I had 2 in my garden for a small period, last year. This year one came back, so I'm hoping it is recurring each year. I have many pictures of them. I'm located in the Caribbean
Those were probably the American kestrel which looks very similar but is a different species. Such striking colors on the males tho you’re very lucky!
I've often wondered whether it's not uncommon for migrating animals especially birds to make unobserved detours
I remember playing golf on the south coast of Cornwall. On one of the tees I watched a kestrel hovering in a howling gale. A brilliant sight and almost within touching distance. I never realised they can see the fluorescent trail in mice urine.
I love seeing people go beyond just words and go out to protect our environment and wildlife, with such things as this. We need people like this. Respect!
This was pretty cool. It is interesting to see a lesser kestrel in the mountains, since that is an area they do not prefer to be. If I had to guess, I'd say Mossy went to the Pyrenees Mountains to escape the heat waves that have been happening in Europe. Normally it is cooler in higher elevations.
That explains Mossy's behavior, but not Lumi's.
please keep us updated on them!
Yes, we will do
You put a backpack on him. Obviously he figures that means he needs to backpack across Europe.
😂 that one actually made me chcukle! - Cheers, Duarte
"Scientist we're amazed to discover the falcon was in fact a bird"
I think Mossy just liked flying around and exploring new habitats,
As a juvenile, perhaps feeding, gaining experiance and growing are more beneficial than being in the same territory as potential mating partners? Having juveniles disperse more widely than adults could allow for reduced feeding competition (juveniles would surely lose to experianced adults in hard times).
Great video and initiative well done!
Thank you William, I'm glad you enjoyed it! - Tom
Do anyone know Mr. And Mrs. Kes from REF's channel?
I'm still in shock to learn how easily scientists are shocked. Good to know the shock lasted for only .001 percent of the video at the end.
I'm so glad to read about the Kestrel, I'm staying in South Africa, in Strand ,Western Cape and one day coming from work I saw the kestrel sitting on the walk way on a window sill outside this flat on the 8th floor, I'm olso on the 8th floor, he saw me and came to my window, I didn't know what they eat but had raw chicken in the fridge, and thought maybe he is hungry .I cut it in nice thin pieces and feed it to him!! I was is awe because he took it with his talon gently out of my hand !! Then flew away, I thought that was the last I see of him but No about a month later he was sitting again in front of my flat, he was waiting for me and next to him was his food that he caught, I greet him then he took the food and flew in a sircle twice before me ,I knew he came to thank me because then he flew away!! Hope to see my friend again!! God bless you with the good work!!
Thank you for your work
I calculated what the 5grams of the tracker would be if I was to carry it, and was scaled to my size. That's about 4.8 pounds for my estimated 160lbs, constantly carrying 4.8 lbs everywhere would be slightly annoying but I could probably get used to it, and just think I got bigger.
Respect - keep up the good work ❤️💯
Great work guys thank you.
The sparrows come to Ireland in April from the south , they head north in June or July and then return a week or so in November . .
What an exotic bird.💚❤ i have spotted lots of them in my neighbourhood in this July & August.
You guys should keep the option to directly donate towards trees planted like you did with Iceland. Even if it's between projects you should keep a donate tree amount towards next project option. Even if it's not exact and an estimate I think it would help secure more funds. For example I was going to put $50 (ik I'm poor) to donate trees but the option wasn't on the app anymore. Just a suggestion but I think always having that open would help a lot. You figure most people myself included love the directness of donating that way because then you really feel as though you made an impact, also alot of people can only donate small amounts once in awhile when they happen to have extra money EX beginning of the month after bills or paid or whatever. But anyway I love what you do and support it 100%. The only real way to make an impact on the climate and our environment and nature is by doing what you do plant trees and rewild
I saw one in the cemetery in Massachusetts once sitting on a gravestone. It was amazing. Maybe it was a different type of kestrel but no doubt it was
I am from India🇮🇳 I am environmental list I regularly see your video and making thoughts on your work and i will must try implement in own area and country side, very prowd to see your work for nature 🌿🍃
Do the backpacks expand as the bird grows strong and big, or do they feel constrained?
I lived on the 19th floor. One morning after soon after I moved in I woke up I saw some Falcons at eye level. Watching them hunt pigeons is kinda awesome.
Hoping and wishing for fixing of the morbidity hotspot at the African continent transmission lines! // I cringe at all migratory crossings to Africa bc the penchant of locals to put glue in trees to catch migrating birds by the millions. I got trauma from a National Geographic magazine article I saw was it 15 or so years ago, just tore me up emotionally... the little birds tore themselves up trying to get free of the glue. Like, ripping off their own wings. The birds landed in the first trees they would see after crossing the Med, and that was it. It was going to be a hard busines bringing the locals around to halting the practice, and finding other income..., I remember reading their attitude was, "We are oppressed, there are no alternatives to make money, get off our backs, turnabout is fair play, we will oppress, too!" Given how long it has been since I read it, I hope hope attitudes and behaviors have changed. They were trapping birds to sell them as roasted snacks, little migrating birds heading to southern Africa. Anyway, you can tell that article really got to me, sniff snuff, the photos were shocking.
A horrific and upsetting thought. It's also horrific, though how as people we care more for animals sometimes than our fellow humans beings. Very messed up world.
Don't worry, that power line was fixed! As you mentioned though it's far from the only hazard on their migration, but GPS tagging allows for the discovery and fixing of similar hotspots. Glue trapping is also unfortunately far from just an African problem, for example France only banned it in 2021 after an EU ruling - Tom
Glue traps for birds? What the ....
That's just awful.
@@MossyEarth Gosh, thank you for your comment to let us know, both the wonderful and the sad.
@@MossyEarth Thanks it's Great & relieving to hear but as you said how many more hazards are awaiting them like habitat loss & new trend of unpredictable climate.
Mossy just wanted a nice holiday in the mountains.
Who wouldn't? :)
It's gonna be interesting to hear of how this research develops. I have a feeling it took this path because of the climate. Hopefully it doesn't turn out to be a detrimental impact of climate change on the species but instead an example of how adaptable they are. Either way, it's already proving that this kind of research is necessary!
The results certainly came as a surprise, I'm sure they have many more in store for us! Hopefully as you said this won't prove to be detrimental on the birds, but only time will tell what happens next. We'll all be watching closely! - Tom
The juvenile birds are following some man-made religion called Climate Change? That's funny.
I was literally watching the video about the snails and this popped up xD
Snails to Kestrels, I've definitely gone down stranger rabbit holes on UA-cam! - Tom
Thank you for your research, dedications, expertise and this video. 🌅🌎🌙
Hei how about reintroduced cheetahs in india.
Could help if there's any carnivorous reintroduction and it's pros and cons?
Another fantastic video and project! Thank you, Matt and DEMA for the thorough explanation! 🙌
Glad you enjoyed it!
6:30 This is where the tracking starts, the rest is fluff.
I haven't watched it yet but i'm already interested!
I hope you enjoy it! - Tom
mossy is a free spirit
I was riding my bicycle along an irrigation canal in Albuquerque in 1985 and found one of these birds in distress along the trail, i took the bird home and fed it everything and anything i could find. seemed to like bacon. the bird stayed with us for about a month. it was like having a beautiful piece of art in our house. It preferred to sit on a sewing machine we had by a window. It even went on a camping trip with us in the mountains. It would perch on your shoulder and ride around on you and even hang around with us outside. finally one evening the bird flew to a telephone line and just sat till it was dark and we never saw the bird again. I didn't know much about birds, but the bird taught me a bunch, and i have gone on to have many birds in my life. One thing the bird taught me is that stink bugs taste bad.
You mean Alburquerque? Albuquerque is in the US.
@@themechanictangerine4337 yes we have paraguin falcons like the one in the video, and albuquerque has been in the united states, since the early 1700's but then it was part of mexico.
@@johngillon6969 I thought you were talking about Albu(R)querque Spain, the lesser kestrel doesn't inhabit North America. You mean peregrine falcon?
@@themechanictangerine4337 for god sakes,, it would take a dna test to tell the difference between the bird in this video and the one i found by the Rio Grande River , in ALBUQUERQUE NEW MEXICO, USA. I'm not a biologist, so the two birds seem identical to you. why you want to educate me? i am impressed you are a brilliant person. go waste your time with some one else, thanks for your effort to show me how stupid i am.
I think it could be a normal varity in behaviour. Most individuals behave in predictive patterns, but some outliners will be more adventurous and unpredictable. This way the population will not go extinct due to a single sudden change in the enviroment. A normal quirk in evolution.
Katrin Gibbins, look at bird bath
Awesome!
Better voice-over than before. Thanks.
Excellent
I use to fly a few Kestrels back in the 60s. They were everywhere back then. I've only seen one in the last 5 or so years. Very sad.
An amazing project and a great video. Thanks. Greeting from Singapore.
Great video
Other birds are like "So, what'd you do this time Mossy? The law finally caught up with you and your accomplice."
wonderful work
Thank you! Cheers!
Great job man.
I admire your work friends...
It will be interesting to see what kind of diet Mossy develops as a result of the different biome exploration.
Indeed
As mentioned in some other comments long distance dispersal of juvenile raptors especially falcons is somewhat known by now. For example, in the past couple years we received GPS tagged Lanner Falcons, Barbaries, and even Bonelli's Eagle from Israel in the Caucasus region. Certainly these species recorded in the Caucasus but i am sure not much attention given about their origin beforehand, but thanks to GPS tagging know we see interesting pattern (some juveniles directly fly north after dispersal, so my guess would be genes play important note in navigation and looking for suitable habitat)
Awesome video!
Glad you enjoyed it
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it Paul! - Tom
Amazing little bird.
Yeah, very special
so interesting, I just hope the taggers dont mess with the beautiful animals :)
Shouldn't be any problems! The birds are the priority to the tagging team, so the process of attaching the tags is made as swift and low-stress as possible and the tags are designed to be non-intrusive to the Kestrel's lives! - Tom
On this video animals are always fascinating and surprising to us!💘🎀
Enjoyed your video!🌟👍🏼
That's why I'm subscriber.🌟
We are wheat farmers and every time we harvest we always have kestrels, hawks, and ravens constantly following us around looking for mice
Oo what a beautiful bird! 😍
Reminds me of one of my favorite raptors here in central California (EEUU), the American Kestrel.
Cool little birds 🐤🐦😎👌😌😀
I'm surprised that your species of Kestrel seem to avoid large cities! Here in Western Canada, they're a regular fixture of suburban life, roosting on houses and focusing on house sparrows and flying insects as prey.
Mossy is nuts! 🙂
Really interesting, I'm curious what pattern emerges after more of them get tagged
Yes, fingers crossed we can tag more next year.
Beautiful birds
Great video . Interesting. Cheers
nice video :)
I live in an Alpine region southern Austria close to the Italian and Slovenian boarders and I've seen Lesser Kestrels here
very interesting! They are known to pass by but not stay and hunt. Would you see the same individual often? - Cheers, Duarte
@@MossyEarth I can't say 100% but it does always seem to bee in the same area...if it is the same one
Years ago I watched a gang of 10 or so lesser kestrels in extensive and dense laurisilva forest on La Gomera. Definitely not the eco system they typically prefer. They seemed quite happy playing around together, so I assumed there was plenty of prey about, and they weren't working hard to survive. Also surprising to see them over several days in the same area. It was northern hemisphere winter, so maybe they had intended to migrate to Africa, but no-one told them they were still in Spain!
The Lesser Kestrel is an absolutely beautiful raptor.
Is the nest mud lined?
Another wonderful project. Well done all involved
Good luck Mossy and Lumi
One would think a more slim and aerodynamic GPS transmitter could be developed in 2022. Super cool to see though, great vid.
This birds came to India all the way from S.Africa, they came to Nagaland, Wokha (India) at River Doyang they stay here for atleast a month.. Some years ago the locals started to hunt this birds but the Govt. Of Nagaland banned from hunting.. Now the state had already introduced the Falcon Festival every year, also now heavy fines were made to those hunters whoever hunt this birds.
Really interesting. But with only two data points, we'll need to tag more birds. Maybe this kind of thing happens a lot, but since juvenile birds aren't tagged we just don't know
I am grateful that conservation in the assistance of species is ongoing and developing.
I have a concern with strapping on these cam6for a considerable time eg 3years is along time .
The reason for this is the possibility of parasites being able to function in areas by strapping that the birds/ others find it harder to clean themselves.
Perhaps a much shorter length of time and more birds ect used instead
This is incredible… come and Explore Nagaland too…
Amur Falcon migrate from Siberia and South Africa covering 2500-3000 miles to Nagaland from November to January
They are so beautiful
What tracker did u use