Webcams as a Remote Tool for Eco-ethological Research: A Study on the Alpine Chough

Methods and devices specifically created for remote animal surveys monitoring are becoming increasingly popular effective. However, also widely used in our societies different, not scientific, goals. Ski resorts the European Alps, instance, use webcams to share panoramic views promote themselves industry of winter recreational activities. We tested preinstalled webcam effectiveness as a tool eco-ethological studies. Our target species was Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus , social opportunistic corvid high mountain environments that attends ski feed on scraps discarded by elevation bars restaurants. studied effect presence tourists weather conditions flocking behaviour at resorts. flock size time spent resort response variables, assessed how strongly they were related number conditions. analysed about 13,500 pictures taken 10 min intervals three sites Alps France, Italy Switzerland. The birds very different among study sites. Flock same environmental drivers, but with sizes areas. daily maximum increased decreased temperature two out three. found fresh snow caused decrease all In conclusion, Choughs modulated their according human conditions, these responses context-dependent. Preinstalled webcams, despite few caveats, can therefore be successfully employed research. Webcams around world increasing represent large potential resource. If companies could engaged make some slight adjustments, without compromising goals, then this offer new way collect data.