From April 2022 onwards, several actions have been launched with the aim of initiating a monitoring of the insectivorous birds of the coussoul, potential predators of the Crau Plain Grasshopper. Zoom in on one of them.
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Among the actions implemented, one of them consisted of involving a dozen shepherds in the monitoring of birds linked to the herd (corvids and Cattle egret).
Indeed, it would be a pity to deprive ourselves of their time in the field, their goodwill and their talent for observation to carry out this mission! Having all responded positively to our proposal, they were equipped with an observation book and binoculars.
During their guarding days, they can now participate in the identification of the birds present on the Crau plain and collect data on their numbers, their distribution in the Crau, and the times they are present among the sheep.
We are impatiently awaiting the results of these counts, which will reach us during the month of June, when the flocks leave for the summer pastures.
We would like to thank the participating shepherds, as well as Perrine TURIEZ, Life SOS Crau Grasshopper project manager at the Bouches-du-Rhône Chamber of Agriculture, and Ghislaine DUSFOUR, project manager at the Conservatoire d’Espaces Naturels de Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA), who spent several days surveying the Crau to set up this action!
A fascinating way to discover the ballet of white birds (Cattle Egret) and black birds (corvids) on the great Crau chessboard!
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