Navigational features of dove flights in the gravity field of Ukraine
© Starostenko V.I., Kanevskiy V.A., Entin V.A., Gintov O.B., Guskov S. I.,
Morenkov E.D., Blaser N., Meskenight V., Lipp G.-P.
Results of test flights of domestic doves in the flat country of Ukraine characterized by parti-tioned gravity field (Buge
anomalies from -30 to +70 mGal) have been considered. The length of flights from starting point to the place of permanent location
was from 15 to 200 km. The routes were tracked trough weakly and strongly divided gravity field. Both local experienced
birds and young ones specially bred in outlying gravity fields took part in the flights. GPS sensors were fastened on birds
fixing coordinates of flight (φ, λ, H) in every 1 sec. Test results demonstrated with other factors (roads, rivers et al.) that gravity
anomalies even small ones (±10 mGal) produce deviation of dove tracks from the straight line together. It is urgent to continue
the experiment which will be corrected taking into account the experience obtained. Inertial-gravitational mechanism of animal navigation
has been suggested.
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