A bird's-eye view on turbulence: seabird foraging associations with evolving surface flow features

Viewing turbulence through the eyes of a bird

28 February 2022

Turbulent eddies generated by artificial structures in tidal zones affect the foraging patterns of terns.

Coasts are undergoing unprecedented change due to the installation of artificial structures such as tidal power plants. But little is known about how such structures affect wildlife such as seabirds.

Now, a team that included scientists from Queen’s University Belfast has found that terns take their cues from the swirling patterns of the turbulent wake of a tidal turbine pole.

Using drones flying at 100 metres, the team simultaneously imaged the flight paths of terns and the turbulent water flow beneath them. They found that turns adjusted their flights based on the turbulent water patterns. In particular, they found that terns were more likely to forage for fish above vortices.

They researchers conjecture that vortices bring prey to the surface and disorient them, making them easier pickings for terns.

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References

1. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 288, 20210592 (2021). doi: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0592