---

🦇 Lindecke O., Schneider W. T., Vintulis V., Jordan N., Cellarius F., Marggraf L. C., Niehues J., Jaunzemis V., Keišs O., Holland R. A. Disruptive effects of brief radiofrequency noise exposure on migratory bat navigation. Science, doi: 10.1126/science.adq4418

Why we think it is worth reading: For the first time, this study shows that brief exposure to human-generated electromagnetic noise can disrupt the navigational abilities of migratory animals for several hours after the exposure has ended. This suggests that the impact of this form of sensory pollution may be more persistent – and potentially more harmful to migratory animals – than previously thought.

🐦 Kavokin K., Bojarinova J., Sannikov D., Cherbunin R., Pakhomov A., Fedorishcheva A., Chernetsov N. Disruption of magnetic orientation in migratory songbirds by radiofrequency magnetic fields is mediated by a specialized sensory system. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, doi: 10.1098/rsif.2026.0129.

Why we think it is worth reading: This study shows that amplitude-modulated radiofrequency fields can disrupt magnetic orientation in migratory birds at lower field strengths than unmodulated fields. Surprisingly, modulation enhances rather than weakens the disruptive effect – challenging the conventional cryptochrome-based explanation for the effects of radiofrequency fields on the avian magnetic compass. The results instead point towards a specialised sensory system for detecting magnetic perturbations and provide a new perspective on the mechanisms underlying magnetoreception in birds.

🐢 Hays G. C., Stokes K. L., Cerritelli G., Costa D. P., Favilla A. B., Luschi P., Rutishauser M., Tromp J., Esteban N. Records of compass heading for long-distance ocean migrators show mid-ocean reorientation. Science Advances, doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aed8113.

Why we think it is worth reading: Using a newly developed satellite tag that directly records the compass heading of migrating animals, the authors show how green turtles navigate during long transoceanic migrations. Rather than continuously adjusting their course towards their destination, turtles maintained relatively constant headings for extended periods and made only occasional mid-ocean course corrections. This behaviour is consistent with the use of geomagnetic “signposts” or a relatively coarse magnetic map, providing rare field evidence of how map-and-compass navigation may operate during long-distance ocean migration.

🦋 Kraus C. M., Vun W. J., Hanslin F. Ø., Grob R., Beetz M. J., Baird E., el Jundi B. Stable neural coding of heading across locomotory modes by the insect compass system. Current Biology. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2026.05.063 

Why we think it is worth reading: How does an animal maintain a stable sense of direction when switching between very different modes of movement? This study shows that the insect brain maintains a remarkably stable neural representation of heading across walking and flying. The findings reveal how the insect compass system can provide a robust directional signal despite major changes in locomotion and associated sensory input, offering new insight into the neural mechanisms underlying flexible navigation.