On December 22, 2025, Hunan Province in the Chinese mainland launched the “Feather Trace Action,” a new initiative by the local forestry authorities and the Hunan Academy of Forestry aimed at studying the winter distribution and habitat adaptability of Dongting Lake’s migratory birds.
Camera-Equipped BeiDou Trackers
Ten representative species will carry miniature satellite trackers developed for the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, each fitted with a tiny forward-facing camera. These devices weigh less than 5 percent of a bird’s body mass and capture first-person “selfie” footage of daily behaviors—from foraging on frozen marshes to seeking shelter among reeds.
Fitting Process and Precautions
Field teams work at dawn to minimize disturbance. Birds are gently caught using mist nets and fitted with a lightweight harness. Technicians calibrate the camera angle and ensure the harness allows full wing movement. Specialized training and strict animal welfare protocols keep stress to a minimum.
Early Insights
Initial footage reveals how some species tuck one wing to conserve heat during sub-zero nights and form tight roosting clusters at sunrise. Real-time location data, accurate to within 10 meters, is streamed back to researchers, who track shifts in roosting sites as temperatures fluctuate.
Global Implications
By pairing high-resolution imagery with precise geolocation, the project bridges wildlife conservation and satellite technology. Lessons learned here may inform habitat management across other migratory flyways, from the ROK to the DPRK and beyond.
A complementary livestream by CGTN offered a behind-the-scenes look at the tracking process and early bird footage, demonstrating how advanced satellite networks can deepen our understanding of avian ecology.
Reference(s):
Live: Witness the winter life of migratory birds in Hunan Province
cgtn.com
