On October 18, 2005, Lydia, a Christmas Island Frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi), embarked on a 26-day flight. Scientists from Parks Australia were able to track Lydia's progress using the radio transmitter they had fitted her with, prior to her departure:

"Lydia went south from Christmas Island into deep pelagic waters, then out about 500 km to the northwest, back to the east and through the Sunda Strait (between Java and Sumatra), where she lingered off the Sumatran islands of Bangia and Bilitang for a few days. She then moved east along the southern coast of Kalimantan (Borneo). The homeward leg took her over the mountains and volcanoes of Java, which stand around 3,000 m high. It seems likely that she took about 9 hours to cross the 150 odd km of Java’s mountains in the middle of the night. It also looks like she was making a near perfect beeline for Christmas Island from Borneo." ~ BirdLife International Press Release

Lydia's 26-day flight route is shown on the following map (+ Click map to zoom in):

Find out more:

• Secrets of Christmas Seabird Revealed (BirdLife International)
• Christmas Island Frigatebird Species Factsheet (BirdLife International)

Photo and Map © BirdLife International