Tracking Data for Three Large-bodied Gull Species and Hybrids (Larus spp.)

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By Alaska Science Center July 25, 2025

Available here are tracking data of large-bodied gull species and hybrids (Larus species). These data were collected to better understand the migratory movements of these birds and their role in the dispersal of antibiotic resistant bacteria among areas of Alaska and other regions.

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USGS Alaska Science Center scientists collect data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various behaviors, and identify geographic areas repeatedly used by wildlife that may indicate sites of importance to species and populations. Tracking data from other wildlife species can be found at: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9VYSWEH

Tracking Maps

Argos Wildlife Tracking of Gulls and hybrids – animation — Argos Wildlife Tracking of Gulls and hybrids.(Credit: David Douglas, USGS)

Gull Species and Hybrids Tracking Maps

These webpages contain five different types of browse maps and other visualizations of the tracking data.

Maps (Animated, Static, Interactive, and Google Earth)
Summary graphs of the data: where, when, duration
Seabirds Tagged Animal Movement Explorer interactive visualization tool
Note: These maps serve only as a depiction of the geographic content of the specific data provided and may be inappropriate for inferences and interpretation outside the intent of the original study. For example, maps may portray only certain ages, sexes, limited numbers of animals or variable tracking duration and start times that may limit inference for other questions. Users are advised to read the publication(s) and data set metadata associated with these maps to understand appropriate use and data limitations.

Data Packages

Argos GPS Satellite Telemetry Data

These data packages contain the data collected from GPS satellite transmitters attached to free-ranging animals. The packages include both raw and processed location and sensor data. The raw data includes data as originally retrieved from the Argos System. The processed data include location data estimated by GPS and the Argos System (Doppler). They have been filtered for location plausibility, and sensor data have been decoded into standard measurement units. For most users, the processed data will be preferred.

NOTE: Processed data contains both plausible (DAF_Filter=0 or Speed_Filter=0) and implausible (DAF_Filter=1 or Speed_Filter=1) locations as indicated by the column “Location_DAF_filter” or “Location_Speed_Filter”. Before using these data, we recommend excluding locations flagged as implausible or apply an alternative filtering method of your choice.

Processed Data [Metadata] [Data Download]
Raw Data [Metadata] [Data Download]
View ScienceBase Data Release

Suggested Citation

Ramey, A.M., Hatch, S.A., Ahlstrom, C.A., van Toor, M.L., Woksepp, H., Chandler, J.C., Reed, J.A., Reeves, A.B., Waldenström, J., Franklin, A.B., Bonnedahl, J., Gill, V.A., Mulcahy, D.M., and Douglas, D.C. 2020, Tracking data for three large-bodied gull species and hybrids (Larus spp.) (ver 2.0, March 2021): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9FZ4OJW

Version History:
First release: June 2020
Revised: March 2021 (ver. 2.0)