Genetics of migration in songbirds

As a biologist and a hobby birder, I'm most fascinated by the phenomenon of bird migration, especially the long-distance journeys of the smallest of songbirds. It is often assumed (but not known for sure) that small songbirds migrate alone, relying to a large degree on an innate set of instructions to guide them. Which parts of the migratory program are inherited and to what extent? How much of the migratory behavior is shaped by the environment and possible social interactions? I don't know. But over the course of the next three years in Partecke's lab we will carry out several exciting translocation experiments and hopefully reduce the uncertainty on the matter at least a little bit. I am looking forward to presenting my general thoughts, my previous work on willow warblers (Lund University), planned work with song thrushes (MPI) and hearing what you all think.