Wouter Vansteelant
@wmgvs.bsky.social
Trying to understand the world from a bird's perspective 🐦 | Migration and movement ecologist at BirdEyes.org. | Guest researcher at ibed.uva.nl | Co-founder of batumiraptorcount.org
Full portfolio at www.wouter-vansteelant.com
Full portfolio at www.wouter-vansteelant.com
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
Classic agricultural methods boosting biodiversity!
Soils of surface-drained grasslands retained more moisture than soils of deeply drained grasslands. Moisture caused earthworms to contribute to soil processes and being available as food for meadow birds.
Open Access: doi.org/10.1016/j.ag...
Soils of surface-drained grasslands retained more moisture than soils of deeply drained grasslands. Moisture caused earthworms to contribute to soil processes and being available as food for meadow birds.
Open Access: doi.org/10.1016/j.ag...
January 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Classic agricultural methods boosting biodiversity!
Soils of surface-drained grasslands retained more moisture than soils of deeply drained grasslands. Moisture caused earthworms to contribute to soil processes and being available as food for meadow birds.
Open Access: doi.org/10.1016/j.ag...
Soils of surface-drained grasslands retained more moisture than soils of deeply drained grasslands. Moisture caused earthworms to contribute to soil processes and being available as food for meadow birds.
Open Access: doi.org/10.1016/j.ag...
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
EARLY VIEW in IBIS
Free-living Black-tailed Godwits maintain constant intake rates across varying grassland habitat conditions by adjusting their foraging behaviour | doi.org/10.1111/ibi....
Renée Veenstra et al | #ornithology 🪶
Free-living Black-tailed Godwits maintain constant intake rates across varying grassland habitat conditions by adjusting their foraging behaviour | doi.org/10.1111/ibi....
Renée Veenstra et al | #ornithology 🪶
January 22, 2026 at 4:54 PM
EARLY VIEW in IBIS
Free-living Black-tailed Godwits maintain constant intake rates across varying grassland habitat conditions by adjusting their foraging behaviour | doi.org/10.1111/ibi....
Renée Veenstra et al | #ornithology 🪶
Free-living Black-tailed Godwits maintain constant intake rates across varying grassland habitat conditions by adjusting their foraging behaviour | doi.org/10.1111/ibi....
Renée Veenstra et al | #ornithology 🪶
Just noticed these upside down spikes in the corners of my hotel room in Spain. What a shitty way to keep the swallows and martins from nesting here. 😪
January 20, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Just noticed these upside down spikes in the corners of my hotel room in Spain. What a shitty way to keep the swallows and martins from nesting here. 😪
YOUNG GODWITS, GRAND FLIGHTS - Last autumn two young godwits that we feared to have died suddenly sent amazing data from Senegal. They had flown to West Africa in a non-stop flight. Among them W1WCCG, who achieved an AVERAGE speed >90km/h. 😳🤯
Read the story at: www.birdeyes.org/young-godwit...
Read the story at: www.birdeyes.org/young-godwit...
January 19, 2026 at 6:59 PM
YOUNG GODWITS, GRAND FLIGHTS - Last autumn two young godwits that we feared to have died suddenly sent amazing data from Senegal. They had flown to West Africa in a non-stop flight. Among them W1WCCG, who achieved an AVERAGE speed >90km/h. 😳🤯
Read the story at: www.birdeyes.org/young-godwit...
Read the story at: www.birdeyes.org/young-godwit...
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
It is so sad that we lost a major player in our field, actively interested involved until his last days, Gerard Boere.
Many thanks, Gerard, for so many years of great support to migratory waterbirds around the world and to people who care. RIP.
eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...
Many thanks, Gerard, for so many years of great support to migratory waterbirds around the world and to people who care. RIP.
eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...
In Memoriam: Gerard C. Boere (1942–2026) | AEWA
The AEWA Secretariat is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Gerard C. Boere, Honorary Patron and Founder of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA). Gerard ...
eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:18 AM
It is so sad that we lost a major player in our field, actively interested involved until his last days, Gerard Boere.
Many thanks, Gerard, for so many years of great support to migratory waterbirds around the world and to people who care. RIP.
eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...
Many thanks, Gerard, for so many years of great support to migratory waterbirds around the world and to people who care. RIP.
eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
Looking for a PhD project in Movement Ecology or animal migration? This is an exciting project with an experienced team. #migration #Ornithology #GPStracking
📢📢PhD opportunity!
We are looking for enthusiastic researchers to develop a project looking at the ontogeny of migratory behaviour!
Deadline for expression of interest: 8 February 2026
👉Check details here: drive.google.com/file/d/1wow2...
#migration #ornithology #GPStracking
We are looking for enthusiastic researchers to develop a project looking at the ontogeny of migratory behaviour!
Deadline for expression of interest: 8 February 2026
👉Check details here: drive.google.com/file/d/1wow2...
#migration #ornithology #GPStracking
January 6, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Looking for a PhD project in Movement Ecology or animal migration? This is an exciting project with an experienced team. #migration #Ornithology #GPStracking
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
Ecological barrier crossing strategies in small migratory birds depend on wing morphology and plumage color | iScience | doi.org/10.1016/j.is... | #migration #ecology #ornithology 🌏🪶
January 2, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Ecological barrier crossing strategies in small migratory birds depend on wing morphology and plumage color | iScience | doi.org/10.1016/j.is... | #migration #ecology #ornithology 🌏🪶
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
We know that birds can sense magnetic fields for navigation. But how does that work?
Do they have little magnets wired up to their brains?
The most likely answer is 1000X times weirder than that, and involves quantum spin.
Let's talk about 'cryptochromes' & magnetic sensing.🧪
Do they have little magnets wired up to their brains?
The most likely answer is 1000X times weirder than that, and involves quantum spin.
Let's talk about 'cryptochromes' & magnetic sensing.🧪
![A blue and red feathered parakeet? with a simple bar magnet illustration overlayed on it, and yellow lines of force radiating out from the head. It also has the word "yes*" underneath it.
I stole this from a cover photo for a video on the topic from YouTuber "Learn with Kay" with title "Birds navigte with Magnets in their heads ??" [sic]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:r643qxafn6b3pxfffiodojbn/bafkreigvdthlwkzkkbjl63ykyyssyqbuhj4jxxkbxos6cfpanbfi7pwdv4@jpeg)
December 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
We know that birds can sense magnetic fields for navigation. But how does that work?
Do they have little magnets wired up to their brains?
The most likely answer is 1000X times weirder than that, and involves quantum spin.
Let's talk about 'cryptochromes' & magnetic sensing.🧪
Do they have little magnets wired up to their brains?
The most likely answer is 1000X times weirder than that, and involves quantum spin.
Let's talk about 'cryptochromes' & magnetic sensing.🧪
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
Recommended read: our 2025 Autumn Report is out!
As part of our tradition and commitment, we’ve compiled a comprehensive overview of the season’s highlights and phenological peculiarities — complemented by many beautiful photos of both birds and people!
👉 batumiraptorcount.org/autumn-report-2025
As part of our tradition and commitment, we’ve compiled a comprehensive overview of the season’s highlights and phenological peculiarities — complemented by many beautiful photos of both birds and people!
👉 batumiraptorcount.org/autumn-report-2025
December 24, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Recommended read: our 2025 Autumn Report is out!
As part of our tradition and commitment, we’ve compiled a comprehensive overview of the season’s highlights and phenological peculiarities — complemented by many beautiful photos of both birds and people!
👉 batumiraptorcount.org/autumn-report-2025
As part of our tradition and commitment, we’ve compiled a comprehensive overview of the season’s highlights and phenological peculiarities — complemented by many beautiful photos of both birds and people!
👉 batumiraptorcount.org/autumn-report-2025
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
"Gewapend met verschillende netten togen we op 21 december, de kortste dag van het jaar, naar de geul waar Nala de laatste weken foerageerde. Een standaard garnalennetje bleek het perfecte net te zijn om lepelaar prooien te bemonsteren."
werkgroeplepelaar.org/nieuws/2025/...
werkgroeplepelaar.org/nieuws/2025/...
December 25, 2025 at 10:27 AM
"Gewapend met verschillende netten togen we op 21 december, de kortste dag van het jaar, naar de geul waar Nala de laatste weken foerageerde. Een standaard garnalennetje bleek het perfecte net te zijn om lepelaar prooien te bemonsteren."
werkgroeplepelaar.org/nieuws/2025/...
werkgroeplepelaar.org/nieuws/2025/...
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
Mooie (interim) job bij de Waddenvereniging voor een ervaren fondsenwerver. Om zuinig te zijn op dit kwetsbare UNESCO werelderfgoed vind jij gulle gevers om de natuur te beschermen én te herstellen.
waddenvereniging.nl/organisatie/...
waddenvereniging.nl/organisatie/...
Vacature: Interim Hoofd Fondsenwerving (16-24 uur)
Stuur je korte motivatiebrief en CV naar Hesje van der Meer.
waddenvereniging.nl
December 18, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Mooie (interim) job bij de Waddenvereniging voor een ervaren fondsenwerver. Om zuinig te zijn op dit kwetsbare UNESCO werelderfgoed vind jij gulle gevers om de natuur te beschermen én te herstellen.
waddenvereniging.nl/organisatie/...
waddenvereniging.nl/organisatie/...
On the train back home, still buzzing from some great days at @vogelwarte.bsky.social where Hans Schmid wrote "Getrennte Wege" - a classic synthesis of Honey Buzzard migration. A quarter century later the species has revealed a few more, but still not all of its migratory "Geheimnisse". #ornithology
November 20, 2025 at 12:36 PM
On the train back home, still buzzing from some great days at @vogelwarte.bsky.social where Hans Schmid wrote "Getrennte Wege" - a classic synthesis of Honey Buzzard migration. A quarter century later the species has revealed a few more, but still not all of its migratory "Geheimnisse". #ornithology
Great day exploring the hills around Sempach ahead of a work visit to @vogelwarte.bsky.social. Good practice wt woodland birds of which I've seen very little since moving to Fryslan few yrs ago. Lovely soundscape wt whistling Red Kite, croaking Ravens, ticking Hawfinch, rattling of Mistle Thrush...
November 16, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Great day exploring the hills around Sempach ahead of a work visit to @vogelwarte.bsky.social. Good practice wt woodland birds of which I've seen very little since moving to Fryslan few yrs ago. Lovely soundscape wt whistling Red Kite, croaking Ravens, ticking Hawfinch, rattling of Mistle Thrush...
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
New funded PhD projects with @marius-somveille.bsky.social, myself and collaborators. Examining migratory connectivity for seabirds www.uea.ac.uk/course/phd-d... and and the dynamics of seasonal migration www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPK742/p...
#ornithology
@ueaceec.bsky.social @ueaenv.bsky.social
#ornithology
@ueaceec.bsky.social @ueaenv.bsky.social
Vorläufige Ergebnisse des 8. Internationalen Weißstorchzensus 2024
Der 8. Internationale Weißstorchzensus fand 2024 wieder als ein gemeinsames Projekt von NABU (BirdLife Germany) und BirdLife International statt. Der NABU koordiniert die länderübergreifenden Zählunge...
bergenhusen.nabu.de
November 12, 2025 at 11:53 AM
New funded PhD projects with @marius-somveille.bsky.social, myself and collaborators. Examining migratory connectivity for seabirds www.uea.ac.uk/course/phd-d... and and the dynamics of seasonal migration www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPK742/p...
#ornithology
@ueaceec.bsky.social @ueaenv.bsky.social
#ornithology
@ueaceec.bsky.social @ueaenv.bsky.social
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
Dispersal, maturation and recruitment in a long-lived, intercontinental migrant bird | www.sciencedirect.co... | Animal Behaviour | #ornithology 🪶
October 28, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Dispersal, maturation and recruitment in a long-lived, intercontinental migrant bird | www.sciencedirect.co... | Animal Behaviour | #ornithology 🪶
The meadows still have to flood, but the winter bird community at Blaugerzen is starting to form. The first Barnacle and White-fronted Geese are back, and mixed flocks of Lapwing, Starling and Golden Plover are on the fields again. They'll define the birding scene for next five months. #birding
October 21, 2025 at 3:47 PM
The meadows still have to flood, but the winter bird community at Blaugerzen is starting to form. The first Barnacle and White-fronted Geese are back, and mixed flocks of Lapwing, Starling and Golden Plover are on the fields again. They'll define the birding scene for next five months. #birding
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
1.5 MILLION RAPTORS! 🦅🤯
For the first time in BRC history, we have recorded a staggering 1.5 million raptors in a single autumn season — a true milestone after 17 years of counting!
Read more here: www.batumiraptorcount.org/brc17/2025/10/15-million-raptors
#ornithology #RaptorResearch
For the first time in BRC history, we have recorded a staggering 1.5 million raptors in a single autumn season — a true milestone after 17 years of counting!
Read more here: www.batumiraptorcount.org/brc17/2025/10/15-million-raptors
#ornithology #RaptorResearch
October 20, 2025 at 2:43 PM
1.5 MILLION RAPTORS! 🦅🤯
For the first time in BRC history, we have recorded a staggering 1.5 million raptors in a single autumn season — a true milestone after 17 years of counting!
Read more here: www.batumiraptorcount.org/brc17/2025/10/15-million-raptors
#ornithology #RaptorResearch
For the first time in BRC history, we have recorded a staggering 1.5 million raptors in a single autumn season — a true milestone after 17 years of counting!
Read more here: www.batumiraptorcount.org/brc17/2025/10/15-million-raptors
#ornithology #RaptorResearch
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
New visual story: Bird migration is one of nature’s greatest spectacles — and scientists are uncovering extraordinary insights into how new threats are reshaping these epic journeys. Follow the remarkable travels of three birds as they fly across the planet. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
October 16, 2025 at 8:17 AM
New visual story: Bird migration is one of nature’s greatest spectacles — and scientists are uncovering extraordinary insights into how new threats are reshaping these epic journeys. Follow the remarkable travels of three birds as they fly across the planet. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
The structure of the annual migratory flight activity in a songbird | royalsocietypublishi... | Proceedings of the Royal Society B | #ornithology 🪶
October 16, 2025 at 5:33 AM
The structure of the annual migratory flight activity in a songbird | royalsocietypublishi... | Proceedings of the Royal Society B | #ornithology 🪶
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
EARLY VIEW in IBIS
Challenges in population monitoring: Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) on the East Atlantic Flyway defy assumed population structure | onlinelibrary.wiley....
Jesse R. Conklin, Roeland A. Bom, Åke Lindström, Pierrick Bocher, Theunis Piersma | #ornithology 🪶
Challenges in population monitoring: Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) on the East Atlantic Flyway defy assumed population structure | onlinelibrary.wiley....
Jesse R. Conklin, Roeland A. Bom, Åke Lindström, Pierrick Bocher, Theunis Piersma | #ornithology 🪶
October 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM
EARLY VIEW in IBIS
Challenges in population monitoring: Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) on the East Atlantic Flyway defy assumed population structure | onlinelibrary.wiley....
Jesse R. Conklin, Roeland A. Bom, Åke Lindström, Pierrick Bocher, Theunis Piersma | #ornithology 🪶
Challenges in population monitoring: Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) on the East Atlantic Flyway defy assumed population structure | onlinelibrary.wiley....
Jesse R. Conklin, Roeland A. Bom, Åke Lindström, Pierrick Bocher, Theunis Piersma | #ornithology 🪶
Over the past 2 weeks, no less than 10 Dutch GPS-#Spoonbills made the crossing from Iberia to Africa. They did so in classic Spoonbill fashion by starting the ocean-crossing near Cadiz, rather than taking the Strait of Gibraltar. 1/2 #ornithology
www.globalflywaynetwork.org/tracks/speci...
www.globalflywaynetwork.org/tracks/speci...
October 12, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Over the past 2 weeks, no less than 10 Dutch GPS-#Spoonbills made the crossing from Iberia to Africa. They did so in classic Spoonbill fashion by starting the ocean-crossing near Cadiz, rather than taking the Strait of Gibraltar. 1/2 #ornithology
www.globalflywaynetwork.org/tracks/speci...
www.globalflywaynetwork.org/tracks/speci...
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
GREAT DAY FOR EEL CONSERVATION
The Basque Country is the craddle of glass eel consumption
Today, the Basque Government has announced a ban on glass eel fishing due to eel's critical situation
Similar movements needed in Spanish @miteco.gob.es and EU @ec.europa.eu
www.eldiario.es/euskadi/gobi...
The Basque Country is the craddle of glass eel consumption
Today, the Basque Government has announced a ban on glass eel fishing due to eel's critical situation
Similar movements needed in Spanish @miteco.gob.es and EU @ec.europa.eu
www.eldiario.es/euskadi/gobi...
October 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
GREAT DAY FOR EEL CONSERVATION
The Basque Country is the craddle of glass eel consumption
Today, the Basque Government has announced a ban on glass eel fishing due to eel's critical situation
Similar movements needed in Spanish @miteco.gob.es and EU @ec.europa.eu
www.eldiario.es/euskadi/gobi...
The Basque Country is the craddle of glass eel consumption
Today, the Basque Government has announced a ban on glass eel fishing due to eel's critical situation
Similar movements needed in Spanish @miteco.gob.es and EU @ec.europa.eu
www.eldiario.es/euskadi/gobi...
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
170.000 RAPTORS IN ONE DAY!
After yesterday’s heavy rain and a quiet morning, today the sky exploded with Steppe Buzzards and large eagles! Continuing from 10 am until almost the end of the count.
At some point, we counted over 14.000 raptors in less than 20 minutes. THAT'S BATUMI!
#ornithology
After yesterday’s heavy rain and a quiet morning, today the sky exploded with Steppe Buzzards and large eagles! Continuing from 10 am until almost the end of the count.
At some point, we counted over 14.000 raptors in less than 20 minutes. THAT'S BATUMI!
#ornithology
October 1, 2025 at 6:17 PM
170.000 RAPTORS IN ONE DAY!
After yesterday’s heavy rain and a quiet morning, today the sky exploded with Steppe Buzzards and large eagles! Continuing from 10 am until almost the end of the count.
At some point, we counted over 14.000 raptors in less than 20 minutes. THAT'S BATUMI!
#ornithology
After yesterday’s heavy rain and a quiet morning, today the sky exploded with Steppe Buzzards and large eagles! Continuing from 10 am until almost the end of the count.
At some point, we counted over 14.000 raptors in less than 20 minutes. THAT'S BATUMI!
#ornithology
After a super intense week with a back-to-back Spoonbill and Wader Study conference, its time to shift to lower gear for a bit. Starting the day with a slow stroll through the fog at Griene Dyk. Hoping for a Yellow-browed Warbler among the plentiful Gold- and Firecrests. #birding
September 30, 2025 at 7:36 AM
After a super intense week with a back-to-back Spoonbill and Wader Study conference, its time to shift to lower gear for a bit. Starting the day with a slow stroll through the fog at Griene Dyk. Hoping for a Yellow-browed Warbler among the plentiful Gold- and Firecrests. #birding
Reposted by Wouter Vansteelant
After the thrill of reaching the million, we went straight to the peak of diversity. The challenge of counting high numbers of birds slowly shifted into identifying the (relatively) fewer but more difficult ones: the large eagle species!
But they also brought a special guest along...👇
1/2
But they also brought a special guest along...👇
1/2
September 29, 2025 at 3:17 PM
After the thrill of reaching the million, we went straight to the peak of diversity. The challenge of counting high numbers of birds slowly shifted into identifying the (relatively) fewer but more difficult ones: the large eagle species!
But they also brought a special guest along...👇
1/2
But they also brought a special guest along...👇
1/2