Lake Vyrnwy GPS trackers

Descriptions

Between 2019 and 2023 the RSPB will be undertaking a range of conservation interventions to improve the condition of blanket bog and moorland habitats at its Lake Vyrnwy reserve. Sustainable, targeted grazing is one intervention to be used to maintain favourable habitat condition into the future. To best assess the effectiveness of the grazing and shepherding techniques we need to understand how the livestock use the landscape. This will be achieved by tracking the movement of our farm’s herds of sheep, cattle and ponies throughout the year using GPS logger collars.Due to the nature of upland grazing it will be impractical to gain frequent physical access to the collars and loggers, therefore they must be able to be worn by livestock for months at a time with minimal need for maintenance, sufficient battery life and data storage, and without affecting the welfare of the livestock.