Movement ecology of Chestnut Teal in the Coorong and Murray Lower Lakes, South Australia
Student: Freya Harrihill (University of Adelaide)
Supervisor: Steven Delean, Tom Prowse (University of Adelaide)
Project overview
Telemetry studies improve understanding of how waterbirds move between wetlands and respond to changing climatic conditions. This project will use telemetry of Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea) to understand: (1) use of habitats within the CLLMM region (including Ocean Beach) and foraging ranges; and (2) connectivity between the CLLMM and the broader wetland network.
By identifying key foraging, roosting and/or breeding habitat, the project is guiding tailored management of the CLLMM and other regional wetlands to support Chestnut Teal, and other dabbling duck species.
This project is also exploring the opportunity that telemetry studies have to engage community through the involvement of volunteers and stakeholders in waterbird trapping as well as livestreaming of waterbird locations and/or media illustrating a ‘birds-eye’ view of waterbird flight paths.
Results
To learn more about this study click Freya's Thesis
Chestnut Tales: GPS Tracking Chestnut Teal movements in the Coorong
Click on the infographic below to view the movements of the longest-tracked Chestnut Teal and more
Researcher Profile
Freya Harrihill
Bachelor of Science (Honours)
in Wildlife Conservation Biology
The University of Adelaide
Project title: Movement Ecology of Chestnut teal in the CLLMM region of SA.
Project focus: To use GPS technology to identify key habitats and movement patterns of Chestnut Teal.
What led you to this focus area? I have spent time over the past few years working in the Coorong, contributing to long term waterbird monitoring projects.
Anticipated outcomes of the project: To use the location data collected from GPS devices to track the movement of Chestnut Teal within the CLLMM and understand how they utilise different habitat niches within the region.
How will the project inform understanding of climate change in the CLLMM? This project will contribute to a baseline of knowledge regarding waterbird behaviour under current climatic conditions. Furthermore, long term tracking projects can use waterbirds as indicators of change within wetland systems, such as the CLLMM.
What would you be doing if you were not a researcher? A professional chef or baker.
Fun Facts
Chestnut Teal can fly at speeds of up to 80km/hr
This is the first GPS tracking project for Chestnut Teal in Australia
The GPS trackers weight less that 3% of the Chestnut Teal's body
Gallery
