A bird's 'satnav' is a wonder of nature

Even young can 'chart a course' thousands of kilometres

Michael Hogan Tipperary Bloody Sunday 1920 jersey

In an age when humans increasingly depend on satnav to get them to their destinations, bird migration is one of the true wonders of nature. As if instinctually knowing how to chart their epic journeys, millions of birds criss-cross the world at specified times of the year, looking for warmer climes in which to breed and find food.

Even very young birds seem to have inbuilt navigational systems that help them fly thousands of kilometres. They always reach their destinations.