From “arrow storks” to search engine data: Google Trends reveals seasonality in search interest for migratory white storks (Ciconia ciconia) in Germany

Abstract

Bird migration is a fascinating natural phenomenon, with curiosities such as “arrow storks”, systematic observations, bird ringing, and, increasingly, modern technologies, such as radio transmitters and satellite telemetry, contributing to its research. The aim of this study is to investigate whether Google Trends data are suitable for capturing the migration of the white stork (Ciconia ciconia) in Germany.

We used search engine data to track seasonal levels of public awareness for the white stork in Germany. The public search interest was compared with interest in other migratory and non-migratory bird species, and with interest in the topic “white stork” along migration routes. Our analysis demonstrated public interest in the topic “white stork” in Germany with a seasonal pattern. In contrast, we were not able to detect a clear seasonality in all countries along the migration routes, which traced white stork migration in time and place. Google Trends was a useful tool to track the seasonality in Germany, for example. However, some limitations were also identified in tracking migration routes using Google Trends data.