Project OspreyTrack: Technology OVERVIEW * TECHNOLOGY *
BIOGRAPHIES * MAPS * OSPREYCAM * OSPREY LINKS Satellite Tracking
Technology The new wave of miniature GPS-enabled satellite
transmitter technology is revolutionizing how we study the
migrations of birds and other animals. The first transmitters
that were used in studies of animal migration were so large that
they could only be put on things like bears and caribou. Within
the past two decades, the transmitters have been miniaturized to
the point where we can use them on birds of prey. Because we now
get data with accuracy measured in meters, rather than
kilometers, we can now answer ecological questions -- where are
the birds hunting, how big are their home ranges? -- that we
could only wonder about before. With a GPS-enabled satellite
transmitter, we can access hourly locations, altitude, speed,
and direction of each Osprey. Every three days the data are
downloaded via satellite. The transmitters we use on Ospreys
weigh 30 grams/ 1 ounce and are attached