2 July 2025 — Gurbantünggüt Desert, Xinjiang
A satellite-tagged European Roller, named Rory by the late BirdLife patron Pamela Isdell, has been successfully located and photographed by Chinese researchers after completing a staggering 15,300 km migration from South Africa to northern China. The discovery marks a breakthrough in understanding one of the world’s most elusive intercontinental migrants.
Rory was first tagged in Limpopo, South Africa on 17 March 2025. He was tracked via satellite as he flew across the continent over a 85-day period to his summer breeding ground in Asia. On the 13 June he was recorded at the southwestern edge of the Gurbantünggüt Desert on the northern slopes of the Tian Shan Mountains — a region at the very edge of its known breeding range in China. He has remained in that region, flying in close clustered movements since 15 June.
No easy feat
“I’m thrilled to share the incredible news,” said Jessica Wilmot, Flyway and Migrants Project Manager for BirdLife South Africa. “The researcher I’ve been in contact with in China, Prof Ma Ming (Xinjiang Institute of Ecology & Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences), and his amazing team have found Rory!”
The search was no easy feat. Battling heavy rain, Ma and his team set out on 27 June. Over three intense days of fieldwork — during which Ma slept little and spent evenings planning the next day’s strategy — the team finally succeeded. At 09:16 Beijing time, he photographed Rory near a nesting cavity, confirming that the bird had arrived at what may be its natal site.
Power of collaboration
I must applaud Professor Ming for his enthusiasm and dedication in finding Rory. Without his persistence, we wouldn’t be gaining this valuable insight,” said Wilmot. “This speaks to the power of collaboration. I’m grateful for this evolving partnership – and I look forward to sharing more updates in the coming weeks.”
Follow the journey on WhatsApp
Observations over the following days revealed fascinating behaviour. Rory appears to be engaged in breeding, with foraging peaks noted in the early morning and late afternoon. “Professor Ma observed him catching mainly grasshoppers, which Rory could be feeding to chicks. It would indicate successful breeding — a remarkable achievement given the bird’s recent journey.”
The team also raised concerns about the ecological pressures in the area. A significant cotton pest outbreak has led to widespread pesticide drone use, posing potential risks to birds and their young during the critical breeding window.
Another consideration is the fit of the tracking equipment. Professor Ma expressed concern that Rory’s satellite tag antenna might interfere with cavity nesting. “I don’t think that’s a concern — at least not yet,” responded Wilmot. “In Europe, tagged rollers have bred successfully for years with no apparent detriment. But it’s important to keep monitoring, especially if cavity types differ in this region.”
Rory’s journey marks one of the longest known east–west migrations of any roller and adds a vital piece to the puzzle of the species’ ecology. Historically, little was known about the roller population in South Africa, as well as their breeding behaviour, range and movements so far north. Rory’s data, combined with on-the-ground observations, are already offering new insight into foraging, habitat preference, and breeding timing.
With a known home range of up to 100 km², and a complex journey spanning continents and deserts, Rory may well redefine what we know about roller migration. As satellite tracking and field collaboration continue, scientists on both continents are watching closely — one eye on the sky, the other on the breeding ground.
