Stopover Site

Stopover ecology is one of the most active research areas in migration biology. Using radio-telemetry and miniaturized geolocators, researchers have shown that the time spent at stopovers can equal or exceed actual flight time. Fuel deposition rates at stopovers — influenced by food abundance, predation risk, and competition — determine both timing and ultimate migration success. Climate change is altering the phenology of insect peaks at key stopover habitats, creating mismatches with migratory schedules.