The long game

摘要

Much of what we know about bird behaviour is from patient field observation over many years. Tim Birkhead reveals why there's no quick fix and long-term studies are vital.On a warm, clear and windless day in July my three colleagues and I gingerly descend the loom drop from the top of the island into one of its main guillemot colonies. The beauty of this location is that for most of the climb the masses of birds cannot see us. They continue with the business of brooding and feeding their well-grown chicks.