Post by University of Cambridge

Does a migratory bird's journey affect its chances of survival? 🦅 New Cambridge research suggests where birds stop to rest and refuel may be a key factor in whether populations thrive or decline. Led by Dr Sayam U. Chowdhury from the Department of Zoology, the study found that 12 of the 20 migratory shorebird species studied declined between 2009 and 2023, with the steepest declines seen among species dependent on coastal stopover sites. The findings highlight how crucial it is to protect entire migration routes, not just breeding and wintering grounds. This is particularly important on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, where nearly two-thirds of sites used by tracked birds are currently unprotected, as well as in the coastal wetlands that support large congregations of migratory shorebirds across Asia. Read more about this study through the link in the comments 🔗 📸 Dr Sayam Chowdhury #CambridgeResearch #CambridgeUniversity