Over the past 15 years, using modern technology, we have got a detailed insight into the migration behaviour of the Great Snipe. The species is best known for the male’s spectacular courtship display, but their migration is possibly even more amazing. They fly 6,000 km without landing and regularly reach altitudes of more than 6,000 meters above sea level, the record so far is 8,700 meters – all this without advanced altitude training.

Unexpectedly, the moon also plays an unexpectedly important role in their lives.

Åke Lindström is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Lund University, where he lectures and researches. An important part of his work is the monitoring of Swedish birds as a part of a national environmental monitoring project Svensk Fågeltaxering. Migration studies have always been a pet project for Åke and, since 2009, he has been focussing on the Great Snipe.