Our late spring and summer groups were treated to some fabulous invertebrates among the lavender. Plenty of pollinators, like this Broad-bordered Bee #Hawkmoth, but also Saddle-backed Bush Crickets and predators such as crab and Wasp #Spiders. Great diversity for student projects. #lepidoptera

This field season we’ve been working with some new local food providers, including the fantastic Koumaï just down the road in La Grand Combe. Specialising in growing a variety of micro-herbs, they create amazingly tasty Asian-inspired (gluten-free AND vegan!) food that everyone can enjoy. 1/2

We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of the staff and students from Bath Spa University for a great field course. Thanks for being so enthusiastic, designing such innovative projects, and making the very most of your time here in France. We wish you all the best with the rest of your studies.

While here in France, students from Bath Spa University deployed #camera-traps around the field centre. With the hot temperatures, the stream was very attractive, with Badgers, Roe Deer, Wild Boar, Red Foxes, Genets, and even Beech Martens carrying prey (a rodent and a Sloe Worm)! #trailcam #ecology

More field tech for the students of Bath Spa University to learn about. Firstly a hands-on experience with #radio-tracking, locating our resident (plushie) Griffon Vulture. Then a demonstration of our @djiglobal.bsky.social multispectral #drone by Fabrizio to illustrate plant and habitat surveys.

While here, students from Bath Spa University designed projects that let them experience using different ecological survey equipment. These included underwater filming of Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and #bat acoustic analysis using passive bat detectors. @titleyscientific.bsky.social @wildlifeacoustics.com

Exploring the Causse Méjean with students from Bath Spa University, we saw the harsh and often arid steppe where there is a breeding program for the endangered Przewalski’s #Horse. Nearby, we spotted an Iberian Grey Shrike, plus Acanthus-leaved Carline Thistles just starting to flower.

As part of their field course with us, we took students from Bath Spa University to the Causse Méjean, where we learned about the species of vulture here in France at the Maison des Vautours. We were lucky enough to see 3 of them: Griffon #Vultures, Cinereous Vultures and a stunning Bearded Vulture.

Day 3, and students from the University of Bath Spa got to trial some invertebrate sampling techniques. We started with a morning of #moth trapping, then headed to the river to collect invertebrates by kick-sampling. Highlights were Langmaid's Yellow Underwing, and Red Swamp Crayfish in the river.

Day 2 with our guests from Bath Spa University and we explored the #Camargue wetlands. We were treated to some close fly-bys of Little Bitterns, and watched as the Glossy Ibis fed in the shallows. We also discovered the path left by a terrapin as it made its way across the mud and into the water.

This field season we’ve been sourcing one of our evening meals from Au Fil des Tartes in Alès. We’re really happy to support local businesses, and enjoy great regional food. Here is the goat's cheese and onion "tarte Cévenole", plus a vegan tart made with vegetables and coconut milk. Delicious!

We’re having a great time hosting staff and students from Bath Spa University. We kicked off the first day with tours of our local habitats, an introduction to #GPS use, plus deploying camera traps. A comprehensive start to an excellent week of #ecology. #butterflies #entomology @bsugeog.bsky.social

Lots of pollinators out on the lavender, including some fantastic #butterflies. Among the Brimstones and Cleopatras, Clouded Yellows and Scarce Swallowtails, we’ve even spotted a Queen of Spain Fritillary. Looking forward to our next camps seeing them. #butterfly #Lepidoptera #entomology #fieldwork

Summer is here and the #cicadas are buzzing (1st spectrogram). We’ve had a great spring for #sound recordings, with #frogs, #birds such as Melodious Warblers, and of course, lots of #bats (here, a Kuhl’s Pipistrelle). Looking forward to lots more #acoustic_ecology as the field season continues.

We’d like to say a huge thankyou to all of the staff and students from the @uniofnottingham.bsky.social for a great field course. Thanks for being so engaged and enthusiastic about your #ecology #fieldwork. We had a fantastic time hosting you, and wish you all the best with the rest of your studies.

We had great camera trap results this week with our guests from the @uniofnottingham.bsky.social. We managed to get all of the “big 8” #mammals here (although the Roe Deer was a little fast!), plus bonus Coypu young. Sound on for a very thirsty European Badger. #trailcamera #cameratrap #trailcam

We had an excellent afternoon #river sampling with students from the @uniofnottingham.bsky.social. We found mayflies and stoneflies, as well as Spinycheek Crayfish and even freshwater sponges. A great way to learn important #ecological survey techniques while staying cool in the south of France!

1/2 We spent an excellent evening bat detecting with students from the @uniofnottingham.bsky.social. With our EMT2 Pro units from @wildlifeacoustics.com, we detected seven species: Soprano, Common and Kuhl’s Pipistrelles, Savi’s Pipistrelle, Serotine, Lesser Noctule and plenty of Daubenton’s bats...

As part of their field trip with us, we took students and staff from the @uniofnottingham.bsky.social to the Camargue, where we explored the freshwater and brackish habitats. We saw lots of Greater Flamingos, as well as Glossy Ibis, European Bee-eaters, and nesting White Storks #ornithology #birding

Students from the @uniofnottingham.bsky.social have been busy surveying the #plants and invertebrates in our local pine and chestnut woodlands. They’ve use GPS units to locate random survey plots, measured canopy cover, and collected #invertebrates with nets and pitfall traps. #ecology #fieldwork

Day 2 with our guests from the @uniofnottingham.bsky.social. After kicking off with an introduction to #moth trapping (and ID!), they’ve been out sampling the meadow habitat. Highlights were a longhorn beetle (𝘟𝘺𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪) and a Light Crimson Underwing moth (𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘢). #insect

We’ve had a great first day with staff and students from the @uniofnottingham.bsky.social. After touring the local habitats, students were taught plant and invertebrate survey techniques in the meadows. Highlights included seeing different crab #spider species eating their prey. #arachnid #fieldwork

After a very dry May, we’ve finally had some rain, and up on the Causse Méjean the butterflies are taking full advantage of the puddles to drink and gain crucial mineral salts. We’ve never seen so many Black-veined Whites (𝘈𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘦𝘨𝘪). #Lepidoptera #Entomology #butterfly #insect

Early June, and we have some real botanical highlights here in France. The parasitic Pinesap is blooming in the pine forests, Star Clover in the garrigue, Feather Grass is opening on the steppes of the Causses, and in the Beech forests, the Lady’s Slipper #Orchid is flowering. #botany #phytology

We often get surprises on our camera traps, especially at the Wild Boar wallow. During their field course with us, MSc students from @aru-biology.bsky.social and Lincoln managed to witness this Green Woodpecker’s cleaning routine. Needless to say, he got a bit carried away. @g-iossa.bsky.social

After our first ever combined field course, we’d like to say a huge thank you to all of the staff and MSc students from @aru-biology.bsky.social and the University of Lincoln. It was an excellent experience hosting you all, and we thank you for your collaboration and enthusiasm.

We spent an excellent day exploring the Causse Méjean with MSc students from @aru-biology.bsky.social and the University of Lincoln. Home to all four species of vulture breeding in France, we were delighted to see a Bearded Vulture and Egyptian Vulture among plenty of Griffons. @g-iossa.bsky.social

As part of their joint field course with us, we took MSc students from The University of Lincoln and @aru-biology.bsky.social to the #Camargue. First we explored the freshwater wetlands to the north, which host one of the largest reedbeds in Europe. @g-iossa.bsky.social @hannah-wht-eco.bsky.social

MSc students from ARU and the University of Lincoln had sessions sampling the invertebrates in the local river to assess its quality. Two areas were sampled, before we brought the invertebrates back to identify them under the microscopes. @aru-biology.bsky.social @g-iossa.bsky.social

MSc students from the University of Lincoln and ARU seized the opportunity for some #moth trapping. Really nice specimens were identified by the students, and we had highlights in three species of hawkmoth, plus Olive Tree Beauties. @aru-biology.bsky.social @g-iossa.bsky.social #lepidoptera