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Tracking Turtle Doves with PIT Tags

Despite the contribution of geolocation, the exact location of stopover sites both during the autumnal and spring migration, as well as the habitat use on wintering and staging sites are fundamental questions that need to be solved for implementing a relevant conservation strategy for this declining species. The incoming since 2007 of 5g solar Argos satellite transmitters offers new opportunities to track Turtle Doves over their spectacular travel there and back between Europe and Africa. 

During the 2013 breeding season, 3 adult Turtle Doves were captured in the south west of France (Poitou-Charentes region), within the Chizé forest, and fitted with these transmitters. These 3 birds are closely surveyed since then: satellite tags alternate 10 hours transmitting periods and 48 hours in “sleeping” mode during which batteries are charged thanks to the solar cells. 

Bird 1: "Marcel"

Date of capture: 31 May 2013

Time of release (local): 07h:30

Ring number: GY120579 - Museum Paris

Balise number: 122820

Body mass: 173 g

Wing length: 182 mm

Location (WGS84 degrees):

- Lat: 46.1498 N

- Long: 0.4281 W

Bird 2: "Jacky"

Date of capture: 4 June 2013

Time of release (local): 09h25

Ring number: GY103803 - Museum Paris

Balise number: 122819

Body mass: 170 g

Wing length: 181 mm

Location (WGS84 degrees):

- Lat: 46.1014 N

- Long: 0.4094 W

Bird 3: "Jean-Marie"

Date of capture: 19 June 2013

Time of release (local): 17h02

Ring number: GY103827 - Museum Paris

Balise number: 122821

Body mass: 149 g

Wing length: 180 mm

Location (WGS84 degrees):

- Lat: 46.1084 N

- Long: 0.4447 W

This study benefits from a financial support granted by the Conseil Général des Deux-Sèvres
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