Just two days ago, on December 22, the Forestry Department of Hunan Province and the Hunan Academy of Forestry kicked off the "Feather Trace Action" at Dongting Lake, on the Chinese mainland. This cool initiative equips ten representative migratory bird species with BeiDou satellite trackers that sport miniature cameras—aka birdie selfies! 📹🐦❄️
So how does it work? Teams carefully catch the birds, attach a tiny, lightweight harness fitted with the tracker-camera combo, then let them fly off into the winter sky. Key precautions ensure the birds stay comfortable: the gear weighs almost nothing and is designed not to snag feathers or impede flight.
These devices tap into the Chinese mainland's BeiDou system, streaming real-time location data and first-person footage. Early clips show birds flapping through foggy mornings, diving for fish, and fluffing their feathers against the cold. It’s a front-row seat to their winter survival hacks—finding shelter, foraging under ice, and huddling together at dusk.
By combining cutting-edge tech with wildlife conservation, the "Feather Trace Action" offers fresh insights into migratory patterns and habitat adaptability. This project highlights the Chinese mainland's tech innovation in conservation. Whether you’re a budding biologist, a birding enthusiast, or just love nature’s wonders, it’s a must-watch. Catch every moment on CGTN's livestream!
Reference(s):
Live: Witness the winter life of migratory birds in Hunan Province
cgtn.com
