Tracking Aruba's terns

Solar-powered GPS loggers show where breeding terns go to feed.

Partner
Waardenburg Ecology
Location
Aruba
Timeframe
June 2026 - ongoing
A bird ecologist holding a bridled tern fitted with a GPS logger
A bridled tern fitted with a solar-powered GPS logger.

The challenge

Protecting tern colonies of regional and global importance.

Aruba supports regionally and globally significant breeding populations of terns. This study identifies their key foraging areas and behaviour: essential information for the long-term protection of the nesting birds and their habitats.

What was done

In June 2026, four Waardenburg Ecology bird ecologists visited Aruba to continue research into the island’s breeding terns, fitting birds with tiny solar-powered GPS loggers.

Bird ecologists fitting a GPS logger on the rocky coast of Aruba
Fieldwork on Aruba's rocky coast.
A bridled tern in flight carrying a GPS logger
A bridled tern in flight, carrying its logger.

Methods used

Following each bird, day and night.

  • Solar-powered GPS loggers
  • Foraging area analysis
  • Spatial behaviour analysis

Outcome

Foraging trips of some 60 km, towards Venezuela.

  • Foraging areas
  • Breeding season
furthest foraging trips so far
60 km

So far, the tracked birds have made foraging trips around Aruba and some 60 km towards the coast of Venezuela.

The loggers record GPS positions at set intervals, day and night. Over the summer of 2026 they will show how foraging changes as the chicks hatch and grow, giving unique insight into behaviour that is largely unknown.

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