In a new study based on a student-project of Clara Holtmannspötter and led by Wieland Heim (our group) and Friederike Gabel (Universität Münster) we found that faecal samples collected during bird ringing can be used to monitor microplastic pollution in wild birds. Urban waterbird species showed high microplastic pollution rates (almost all birds affected) and high pollution levels (up to 72 microplastic particles per mg faeces). The observed microplastic pollution rates/levels of urban waterbirds were higher compared to other studies on freshwater bird species. 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969725009428

In a new article, we as an international team of scientists, summarise the opportunities of the Motus Wildlife Tracking System from a European perspective. From the evolution of new migration routes to the identification of important stopover sites, this tracking method offers a wide range of opportunities for research and follow-up protection of small migratory birds, bats and insects.

Mitchell, L., Brust, V., Karwinkel, T., Åkesson, S., Kishkinev, D., Norevik, G., Szep, T., Hedenström, A., Lagerveld, S., Helm, B., & Schmaljohann, H. (2025). Conservation-focused mapping of avian migratory routes using a pan-European automated telemetry network. Conservation Biology, e70017. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.70017

In particular, as the construction of offshore wind farms increases in addition to shipping traffic in the North Sea, the intensification of human activities requires a deeper understanding of their biological impacts - particularly the effects of artificial night light pollution (ALAN) on migratory birds and bats - and highlights the need for ecosystem-based marine policies.

Walsh, C., Hüppop, O., Karwinkel, T., Liedvogel, M., Lindecke, O., McLaren, J. D., Schmaljohann, H., & Siebenhüner, B. (2025). Marine artificial light at night: Implications and potential hazards for offshore songbird and bat movements in the Greater North Sea. Conservation Science and Practice, e70008.
https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.70008

A one-day online meeting of the European users of the Motus Wildlife Tracking System (https://motus.org/), organized by our working group, took place on 28 January 2025. In addition to the status updates from the individual countries, there were scientific and technical presentations and discussions, including talks by the company Lotek and Birds Canada, who host the central coordination centre of Motus. The meeting also strengthened the cohesion of European Motus users. A written summary of the meeting, including the presentations, will soon be available in the Motus community forum: https://community.motus.org/tag/europe