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The secrets of UK's smallest seabird revealed by satellite tags


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The UK's smallest seabird regularly travels up to 186miles (300km) to feed in stormy waters off Shetland, according to new satellite tag data.

Adult storm petrels on Mousa, Shetland, were fitted with GPS devices to better understand where they foraged for plankton and small fish at night.

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The data revealed they were flying to a previously unknown feeding area 68 miles (110km) south of their colony. One bird even ended up almost 248 miles (400km) in Norway.

Storm petrels migrate from the coasts of South Africa and Namibia to breed in Europe. Adults birds weigh about 30 grams - just over one ounce. The tags used in the research project, which involved RSPB Scotland, weighed less an a gram.

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"The new insights about their behaviour demonstrate the value of fundamental science as well as providing an amazing window into the travels of our smallest seabird."

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-53984556

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I just love reading things like this. 

Our planet is so amazing :flutter:

We need to take care of the little creatures and plants :sara:

❗️ IG: thebumblebee__ ❗️
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