Seasonal and daily movement patterns of an alpine passerine suggest high flexibility in relation to environmental conditions

Mountains naturally offer variable habitat conditions, but their
biodiversity is currently facing the extra challenge of adapting to rapid
environmental shifts that are much more pronounced than in the lowlands.
Among adaptive responses, intra- and inter-seasonal movements represent
potentially important coping strategies for wildlife that remain largely
unexplored. We investigated the seasonal and daily movements of the ring
ouzel Turdus torquatus, a European mountain bird species that is declining
in many parts of its distribution. We tracked individuals breeding in the
Swiss Alps using light-level geolocators and multi-sensor loggers. Of the
birds traced to their non-breeding grounds, two thirds reached the Atlas
Mountains while one third stayed in Spain, a region potentially more
significant for overwintering than previously thought. The birds remained
mostly above 1000 m throughout the annual cycle, highlighting a strict
association of ring ouzels with mountain habitats. We also evidenced
flexible daily elevational movements, especially upon spring arrival on
the breeding grounds in relation to date and snowfall occurrence,
suggesting adaptive potential in response to environmental variation. This
study shows how modern technology can deliver deeper and valuable insights
into movements, behavioural patterns, and life-history strategies for
relatively little-studied animal species. By doing so, it paves the way
for refined assessments of species’ vulnerability to ongoing global change
while providing basic conservation guidance.