Introducing the Latest Crane Migration Radar: Insights from DEVELOPER Melanie
crane radar hackathon with Melanie, Koen, Hugo, Bas & Menno
We are thrilled to announce the release of the latest version of our Crane Radar! Every autumn, cranes migrate from chilly Scandinavia to the warmer climates of France and Spain, returning in spring. With our Crane Radar, you can track their migration in real time and discover where to spot them in the coming hours.
To celebrate this milestone, we sat down with Melanie, one of the brilliant developers behind the latest release. Here are five questions that highlight her insights and contributions to this exciting upgrade.
1. Melanie, what was your role in this project?
I maintain the crane radar, focusing on development, testing, and debugging. I implement new code, primarily developed by Koen, as well as other requests into the live version. The successful launch of this new version was truly a team effort, involving Koen, Bas, Hugo, and myself, with valuable support from Alba, Ralph, Menno, and Jan Kees.
2. What key features were introduced in the latest version of the Crane Radar, and how do they enhance its functionality for tracking bird migration?
In the latest version, Koen developed a new method for calculating the probability of crane migration paths using a grid-based approach. This provides a more accurate visualization at any zoom level, addressing limitations of the previous heat map system, especially on busy days with numerous sightings. We also improved the connection between wind data - from KNMI HARMONIE model - and the crane radar, thanks to contributions from Ralph, Hugo, and Bas.
3. What challenges did you face during the development of this version, and how were they overcome?
This application was one of the first to transition to our new analytical platform, requiring us to navigate some steps through trial and error. Hugo and Bas were pivotal in this process, collaborating closely with Alba.
4. Can you explain the significance of the first bird sighting in September 2024, and how this new release enhances real-time tracking of migration patterns and contributes to conservation efforts?
While I'm not an ecologist like Koen, I know that crane migration is highly popular among birders who gather extensive data. Our improved radar aims to help them locate cranes more effectively, potentially increasing the data collected, which is valuable for scientific and conservation efforts.
5. Looking ahead, what improvements or updates do you envision for future versions of the Crane Radar based on the upcoming migration season?
With the new grid-based model, we can analyze different time intervals. Currently, the map predicts crane locations in real time, but it would be beneficial to add forecasts for future hours, similar to rain prediction apps like Buienradar. This would help birders plan their visits more effectively.
Background Information
Koen explaining the crane radar
During migration, large grazing birds - such as cranes, geese, and swans - often gather in large numbers at staging sites to feed on agricultural crops. These sites frequently overlap with protected wetlands, resulting in significant crop damage that jeopardizes both bird conservation and wetland preservation.
To mitigate this issue, it is crucial to integrate damage prevention strategies with the conservation of these birds in agricultural landscapes. A thorough understanding of their spacing behavior is essential for assessing damage risks and determining effective protective measures. The crane radar plays a vital role in this process and is part of the Nature FIRST project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme. This initiative also serves as the first working example of a digital twin, with components that can be adapted for other projects, such as those aimed at preventing human-wildlife conflicts involving bears and elephants.