This was an opportunity to meet up with the ‘old hands’, introduce themselves to the newcomers, and initiate pastoral monitoring of grazing places that are home to Crau Grasshopper populations or are close to them. An update was made on the dates of arrival on the Coussoul, the size of the flocks and the type of animals present, the grazing strategy put in place by the shepherd or shepherdess and the breeders, etc.
Some of the discussions also focused on the actions to come under the LIFE programme, in particular the installation of grasshopper parks covering a few hectares, away from the teeth of the flocks, on four grazing places, and the adaptations in pastoral management that this will require.
This action informs the shepherds about the conservation issues present on the parcels they graze. They are generally very willing to cooperate with the LIFE project and nature reserve team.
Many thanks to them!