Tracking E7
In this activity, students explore the incredible flight of a special bird known as E7 to learn about the migratory flight of bar-tailed godwits from New Zealand.
Flight path of E7
The godwit E7 was tracked by satellite (feedback is shown by yellow dots) from New Zealand to China and then to Alaska. She then flew non-stop back to New Zealand.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
explain the migratory patterns of the New Zealand bar-tailed godwit
understand and explain a major threat to the survival of the godwits
engage in ethical discussions concerning the use of tracking devices on migratory birds
identify with justification some of the characteristics birds need for long-distance flight
explain in simple terms the concept of migration timing concerning godwits.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
student worksheets.
Related content
Research has revealed that godwits make the longest non-stop flight of any known bird. Dr Phil Battley and Dr Jesse Conklin are two scientists who study and track these birds.
The Ministry of Education’s Connected s article On the move includes teacher support material about the technology used for monitoring migration.
Useful link
The Animal Welfare Act 1999, Part 6 covers the use of animals in research, testing and teaching relevant to the ethical considerations in this student activity.
very spring, bar-tailed godwits make the 11,000 kilometre journey from Alaska to New Zealand. Phil Battley talks birds and migration.
Alison Ballance joins a team catching and tagging 45 godwits to find out the sleep secrets of the kuaka, find out more in this RadioNZ Our Changing World programme from March 2024.
Visit the Global Flyway Network (GFN), a non-profit foundation that seeks to foster and strengthen partnerships between researchers studying the demography and movement ecology of migrant shorebirds across the world.
