This footage was filmed and produced 27 August 2022.

Researchers from Hokkaido University and Aarhus University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the nocturnal activities of little auks in the Arctic. Using acoustic recordings, the team was able to uncover hidden rhythms of the seabird colonies in Northwest Greenland, shedding light on their behavior under the constant daylight of the Arctic summer.

Led by Associate Professor Evgeny A. Podolskiy from Hokkaido University, the study published in Communications Biology reveals a surge in vocalization activity among little auks during the night, a stark difference from the dawn chorus typically seen in other environments. This finding provides valuable insights into the ecological dynamics of these birds and their daily routines.

According to Dr. Anders Mosbech from Aarhus University, understanding the behavioral dynamics of little auks is crucial for monitoring environmental shifts in the Arctic. The study highlights the importance of passive acoustic monitoring as a non-invasive and efficient method for studying bird colonies in remote regions like the Arctic.

Moving forward, the research team plans to continue their investigations into the acoustic ecology of Arctic seabirds and collaborate with local communities to enhance conservation efforts. By combining audio data with other monitoring techniques, the researchers aim to further expand our understanding of the complex interactions that sustain life in one of the world's most extreme environments.