A GPS-based system for recording the flight paths of birds

The GPS recorder consists of a GPS receiver board, a logging facility, an a ntenna, a power supply, a DC-DC converter and a casing. Currently, it has a weight of 33 g. The recorder works reliably with a sampling rate of lis an d with an operation time of about 3 h, providing time-indexed data on geogr aphic positions and ground speed. The data are downloaded when the animal i s recaptured. Prototypes were rested on homing pigeons. The records of comp lete Right paths with surprising details illustrate the potential of this n ew method that can be used on a variety of medium-sized and large vertebrat es.