June 3rd-4th: 1 stormie
June 5th-6th: 4 stormies
June 6th-7th: 1 stormie
June 9th-10th: 1 stormie
June 10th-11th: 2 stormies
June 11th-12th: 0 stormies :(
June 13th-14th: 3 stormies
June 14th-15th: 0 stormies (where are they?!?)
June 17th-18th: 5 stormies :)
June 18th-19th: 20 stormies (They arrived! Glory!!)
June 19th-20th: 11 stormies
June 20th-21th: 5 stormies
June 21th-22th: 5 stormies
June 23th-24th: 10 stormies
June 25th-26th: 5 stormies
June 26th-27th: 14 stormies
June 27th-28th: 3 stormies
June 30th-July 1st: 2 stormies
July 4th-5th: 1 stormie
2011 Running total: 93 stormies (no controls for the season)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Join us in Portugal in 2011
A unique opportunity is available for volunteers to join our storm petrel project in Portugal for 10 days during May-June 2011.
The birds...
Storm Petrels (or “stormies”) are tiny sparrow-sized seabirds that traverse the globe on their migrations, only rarely coming to land. 
A storm petrel carrying an individually numbered ring. This bird was originally ringed in Scotland, and subsequently re-caught in Portugal.
A "stormie" at sea
The Research…
Since 1990 stormies have been the focus of one of A Rocha Portugal's long-running research projects, on the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. The project examines the links between climate, oceanography, marine food-webs and the diet and migration strategies of storm petrels. See the numerous other postings on this blog for further details of our research and to see photos of previous storm petrel teams in action
The Research…
Since 1990 stormies have been the focus of one of A Rocha Portugal's long-running research projects, on the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. The project examines the links between climate, oceanography, marine food-webs and the diet and migration strategies of storm petrels. See the numerous other postings on this blog for further details of our research and to see photos of previous storm petrel teams in action
Members of the research team hard at work
The participants...
Each year, we welcome volunteers from all around the world and of all ages, to take part in this exciting and topical research project. Small teams of 6-8 volunteers stay for 10 days each, working alongside scientists from Cardiff University & A Rocha Portugal. No previous experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and a reasonable level of physical fitness. All necessary training is provided, and volunteers can complete an optional short course in Seabird Research Techniques, to obtain a certificate.
Manuela, a volunteer from Italy
Manuela, a volunteer from Italy
The location...
You will be based at A Rocha Portugal’s Bird Observatory on the Algarve coast.
You will be based at A Rocha Portugal’s Bird Observatory on the Algarve coast.
Stormies are captured at night at a beautiful and remote location near the western Cape. Sound recordings of the storm petrel's songs are used to lure the birds into mist nets, from which they are carefully extracted by trained bird ringers, then weighed measured and quickly released.
Good food, a warm welcome and impressive facial hair are the observatory’s specialities!
The project staff...
Dr Rob Thomas, Lecturer in Biosciences at Cardiff University (Wales, UK) & storm petrel project coordinator
Good food, a warm welcome and impressive facial hair are the observatory’s specialities!
The project staff...
Dr Rob Thomas, Lecturer in Biosciences at Cardiff University (Wales, UK) & storm petrel project coordinator
Renata Medeiros, PhD student at Cardiff University & regular staff member.
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We are also regularly joined by other biologists including Dr Nicola Marples & Dr Dave Kelly (both at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland) & Dr Jaime Ramos (University of Coimbra, Portugal).
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2011 dates -please email Rob for details ThomasRJ@Cardiff.ac.uk
Team 1: June 1st-10th
Team 2: June 10th-19th
Team 3: June 19th-28th
2011 prices: £ 550 per person for 10 days
Includes accommodation, good food & all research expenses
Includes accommodation, good food & all research expenses
(travel to Portugal & travel insurance are not included).
A number of student/pensioner discounts are available (details available on request: contact ThomasRJ@Cardiff.ac.uk)
Further information & Bookings
To find out more about joining the project in 2010, or to make a booking, please contact the project leader:
A number of student/pensioner discounts are available (details available on request: contact ThomasRJ@Cardiff.ac.uk)
Further information & Bookings
To find out more about joining the project in 2010, or to make a booking, please contact the project leader:
Dr Rob Thomas, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, CF103US, UK.
Email: ThomasRJ@Cardiff.ac.uk
Email: ThomasRJ@Cardiff.ac.uk
Tel.: 0044 (0)29 20757226 (evenings/answerphone)
Mobile: 0044 (0)790 4565448
Mobile: 0044 (0)790 4565448
We look forward to hosting you in Portugal this summer, for the A Rocha storm petrel project's 22nd year!
Monday, May 24, 2010
2010 Catches
May 23th-24th: 1 faulty battery, 1 very bright moon, 0 stormies, 6 sleeping petrellers and 8 Pastéis de Nata.
May 24th-25th: 1 bouncing bird, 3 very desperate ringers by the net whole night, 1 armed policeman and 8 warm Pastéis de Nata.
May 25th-26th: 0 stormies, 6 Pastéis de Nata.
May 26th-27th: night off
May 27th-28th: 0 stormies, 7 Pastéis de Nata with a good discount.
May 28th-29th: 2 stormies!!!!!!!! Nevermind the Pastéis de Nata.
May 29th-30th: 0 stormies, back to Pastéis de Nata
May 30th-31st: night off, goodbye Team 1
May 31st- June 1st: night off, welcome Team 2
June 1st-2nd: 0 stormies; 0 Pastéis de Nata!! getting worse...
June 2nd-3rd: 2 stormies :))))
June 3rd-4th: 1 stormie, a retrap from 5th June 2009, weighing the same (26g)
June 4th-5th: 0 stormies! Ze wins the mars bar - again! 8 creamy doughnuts (later re-identified as custard by Abi Gordon, doughnut conniseur).
June 5th-6th: 0 stormies again -what is going on???
June 6th-7th: night off -boat trip tomorrow -maybe we'll find some stormies further offshore....
June 7th boat trip: 8+ common dolphins, 7+ stormies 6miles and 9 miles S of Lagos
June 7th-8th: 0 stormies, but a couple of birds very briefly over the net. We are taking solace in Odiaxere bakery products which are consoling us about Renata's depature as well...
June 8th-9th: End of team 2 party!
June 9th-10th: Night off, welcome team 3
June 10th-11th: 1 stormie, Cory's shearwater overhead. A bag of custard doughnuts and pasteis de nata was briefly sighted at dawn.
June 11th-12th: 4 stormies -Happy Days!!!
June 12th-13th: 5 stormies + 1 police-boat encounter
June 13th-14th: 0 stormies again, though 1 bounced at 3am.
June 14th: boat trip, 2.5 miles S of Lagos: 8+ stormies coming for mackerel amazingly close to the boat, including 1 ringed bird.
June 14th-15th: 2 stormies ringed, 2 seen off Ponta da Almadena at dusk.
June 15th-16th: 6 stormies, including 1 ringed in the UK
June 16th-17th: 5 stormies, including 1 uk ring
June 17th: End of team 3 -party!
Running year total: 60 stormies in 21 nights of fieldwork.
May 24th-25th: 1 bouncing bird, 3 very desperate ringers by the net whole night, 1 armed policeman and 8 warm Pastéis de Nata.
May 25th-26th: 0 stormies, 6 Pastéis de Nata.
May 26th-27th: night off
May 27th-28th: 0 stormies, 7 Pastéis de Nata with a good discount.
May 28th-29th: 2 stormies!!!!!!!! Nevermind the Pastéis de Nata.
May 29th-30th: 0 stormies, back to Pastéis de Nata
May 30th-31st: night off, goodbye Team 1
May 31st- June 1st: night off, welcome Team 2
June 1st-2nd: 0 stormies; 0 Pastéis de Nata!! getting worse...
June 2nd-3rd: 2 stormies :))))
June 3rd-4th: 1 stormie, a retrap from 5th June 2009, weighing the same (26g)
June 4th-5th: 0 stormies! Ze wins the mars bar - again! 8 creamy doughnuts (later re-identified as custard by Abi Gordon, doughnut conniseur).
June 5th-6th: 0 stormies again -what is going on???
June 6th-7th: night off -boat trip tomorrow -maybe we'll find some stormies further offshore....
June 7th boat trip: 8+ common dolphins, 7+ stormies 6miles and 9 miles S of Lagos
June 7th-8th: 0 stormies, but a couple of birds very briefly over the net. We are taking solace in Odiaxere bakery products which are consoling us about Renata's depature as well...
June 8th-9th: End of team 2 party!
June 9th-10th: Night off, welcome team 3
June 10th-11th: 1 stormie, Cory's shearwater overhead. A bag of custard doughnuts and pasteis de nata was briefly sighted at dawn.
June 11th-12th: 4 stormies -Happy Days!!!
June 12th-13th: 5 stormies + 1 police-boat encounter
June 13th-14th: 0 stormies again, though 1 bounced at 3am.
June 14th: boat trip, 2.5 miles S of Lagos: 8+ stormies coming for mackerel amazingly close to the boat, including 1 ringed bird.
June 14th-15th: 2 stormies ringed, 2 seen off Ponta da Almadena at dusk.
June 15th-16th: 6 stormies, including 1 ringed in the UK
June 16th-17th: 5 stormies, including 1 uk ring
June 17th: End of team 3 -party!
June 27-28th: 22 stormies, including 1 UK ring & 1 Spanish ring
Hurrah for team 4!!!!
June 28-29th: 10 stormiesRunning year total: 60 stormies in 21 nights of fieldwork.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
2009 catches
May 24th-25th: 47 stormies, 3 carrying Spanish rings, 1 UK ring + 1 CORY'S SHEARWATER!!!
May 25th-26th: 24 stormies, 1 UK ring
May 26th-27th: 20 stormies, 1 Spanish ring
May 27th-28th: night off
May 28th-29th: 0 stormies (but amazing waves!)
May 29th-30th: 35 stormies, 2 UK rings
May 30th-31th: 21 stormies, 1 Norwegian ring
May 31th-June 1st: night off (Goodbye Team 1)
June 1st-2nd: night off (Welcome Team 2)
June 2nd-3rd: 2 stormies
June 3nd-4rd: 7 stormies
June 4th-5th: 3 stormies
June 5th-6th: 10 stormies
June 6th-7th: 11 stormies, 1 Spanish retrap from May 24th,
PLUS our 5,000th stormie!!!
June 7th-8th: 8 stormies
June 8th-9th: 24 stormies
June 9th-10th: night off (Goodbye Team 2)
June 10th-11th: night off (Welcome Team 3)
June 11th-12th: 8 stormies
June 12th-13th: 25 stormies, including 1 retrap from last night
June 13th-14th: 31 stormies, 1 UK ring
June 14th-15th: 59 stormies, 2 UK rings
June 15th-16th: zero stormies -perplexing!!!
June 16th-17th: 28 stormies
June 17th-18th: Night off (various island and isopod - related activities)
June 18th-19th: 7 stormies
June 19th-20th: End of season party!!!
2009 Running total: 370 stormies (4 Spanish, 7 UK, 1 Norwegian, 1 Portuguese retrap) + 1 Cory's shearwater
All-time running total: 5,198 stormies
On nights in green, the Secret Weapon (dimethyl sulphide) was used as a scent lure.
May 25th-26th: 24 stormies, 1 UK ring
May 26th-27th: 20 stormies, 1 Spanish ring
May 27th-28th: night off
May 28th-29th: 0 stormies (but amazing waves!)
May 29th-30th: 35 stormies, 2 UK rings
May 30th-31th: 21 stormies, 1 Norwegian ring
May 31th-June 1st: night off (Goodbye Team 1)
June 1st-2nd: night off (Welcome Team 2)
June 2nd-3rd: 2 stormies
June 3nd-4rd: 7 stormies
June 4th-5th: 3 stormies
June 5th-6th: 10 stormies
June 6th-7th: 11 stormies, 1 Spanish retrap from May 24th,
PLUS our 5,000th stormie!!!
June 7th-8th: 8 stormies
June 8th-9th: 24 stormies
June 9th-10th: night off (Goodbye Team 2)
June 10th-11th: night off (Welcome Team 3)
June 11th-12th: 8 stormies
June 12th-13th: 25 stormies, including 1 retrap from last night
June 13th-14th: 31 stormies, 1 UK ring
June 14th-15th: 59 stormies, 2 UK rings
June 15th-16th: zero stormies -perplexing!!!
June 16th-17th: 28 stormies
June 17th-18th: Night off (various island and isopod - related activities)
June 18th-19th: 7 stormies
June 19th-20th: End of season party!!!
2009 Running total: 370 stormies (4 Spanish, 7 UK, 1 Norwegian, 1 Portuguese retrap) + 1 Cory's shearwater
All-time running total: 5,198 stormies
On nights in green, the Secret Weapon (dimethyl sulphide) was used as a scent lure.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Storm Petrellers 2009 -Team 3
Team 3 at the Cape
Swimming near the Cape
A megalithic monument moment!
Walking home at dawn
Swimming near the Cape
A megalithic monument moment!
Walking home at dawn
Note to Rebecca's mum; we are feeding her well!
One bakery customer preferred to remain anonymous
Team 3 night off; all ready for the big night out in Alvor!
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Storm Petrelers 2009 -Team 2
At the Cape
Transport to the field site
Transport to the field site
Ready for action
Clearing the net ride!
Catching sea creatures
Clearing the net ride!
Catching sea creatures
Early morning bakery visits are an important new development!
Team 2 have had a full moon to contend with
(it keeps the stormies offshore)
but its rising later in the night at last
Team 2 have had a full moon to contend with
(it keeps the stormies offshore)
but its rising later in the night at last
Survivors' photo, dawn day 10
Monday, June 08, 2009
Our 5,000th stormie
After 20 years of storm petrel research at A Rocha Portugal, our project has reached a new landmark; our 5,000th storm petrel. Well done everyone! Here is the momentous bird, caught on the night of June 6th-7th 2009.
Team 2 boat trip
No stormies this time, but 3 Cory's shearwaters, 2 Mediterranean sheawaters, approx. 20 common terns, 1 skua sp., loads of gannets and best of all, 8 common dolphins frolicking around and under the boat. They were even seen mating! Thanks to Jelle and Bert for the great photos.
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