“Despite that the Przewalski horse population significantly grew along with the number of harems, the harem sizes did not increase over time. Harem sizes remained relatively stable each year, ranging from 1 to 11 mares, with different peaks and stable periods observed within the 12-month phenological harem cycle. This revealed to us that population size alone does not explain the size of the harems and that possibly what explains their variation is not how many individuals there are, but rather what sex they are.”

“As weather conditions might become more unpredictable in the future under ongoing climate change, the cyclic patterns of dry and wet years in Cabo Verde will change, such effects of droughts on survival are concerning.”

‘Most unexpectedly we have observed […] that inter-island movements within Cabo Verde are more common than previously thought.’

From November 8th to 12th, 2023, the Maio Shorebird Team warmly welcomed four students from the Universidade Cabo Verde, introducing them to shorebird conservation on Maio. Our field course focused on the Kentish plover and the endemic sub-species of Cream-coloured courser, involving activities such as identifying and measuring nests, and monitoring their breeding ecology.

My time in Tamás Székely's Lab not only moulded me as a researcher but also involved me in compelling projects beyond my PhD, fostering my professional growth.