The breeding habits of longtails in Bermuda are being studied through data retrieved from the wildlife tracking station on Trunk Island.

The research, undertaken by the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, is being carried out through surveys and tagging of the seabirds. Patrick Talbot, a curator at the Bermuda Zoological Society, is doing the study.

The BZS said on its Facebook page that the breeding habits of longtails are being analysed using radio telemetry tags placed on the birds.

The tags work in tandem with the wildlife tracking station on Trunk Island. They transmit data that enables the researcher to determine the animal’s location as well as information about its environment.

The BZS said it is partnering with the Atlantic Conservation Partnership to find out more about the protected species, specifically “to answer questions on gender roles when it comes to egg incubation and chick rearing”.

The researcher is trying to determine a timeline of when the birds arrive on the island as well as from which direction they fly inland. He is also trying to find out how close to Bermuda the birds hunt during breeding and whether the breeding pairs of the bird are monogamous.

During the last week of February, signs of spring emerged when longtails were spotted on Rabbit Island in Harrington Sound, the BZS said on its Facebook page. Mr Talbot was on hand to check in on the species.

The study is a continuation of Mr Talbot’s university research, which centred on the longtail’s behaviour.

The longtail is considered Bermuda’s only common nesting seabird.

Studies done between 2009 and 2011 by the Department of Conservation Services found that the breeding success of the bird is high.

It was noted at the time that the largest single threat to the bird’s existence was destruction of its nest by high waves and erosion during hurricanes.

To remedy the issue, artificial nests were installed at areas where large numbers of nests have been lost.