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.
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.
A fascinating way to discover the ballet of white birds (Cattle Egret) and black birds (corvids) on the great Crau chessboard!
News
Breeding and reintroduction
A new generation of grasshoppers for 2024
Published: Septembre 07 2023
The Crau grasshoppers were busy at the start of the summer! Having become adults within a few weeks timeframe and after undergoing five moults, the grasshoppers from the three breeding stations (La Barben Zoological Park, Besançon Museum ...
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Breeding and reintroduction
First hatchings 2023
Published: Avril 24 2023
The first hatchings of Crau Plain Grasshopper in 2023 took place at the beginning of April and observations of the first juveniles are multiplying by the day!
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Breeding and reintroduction
Beautiful babies to come!
Published: Décembre 19 2022
In order to ensure the proper development of the grasshopper eggs currently placed in the aviaries in the Crau, three egg pods were dissected on 15 November by Antoine Foucart, an entomologist at the CBGP joint research unit (CIRAD, INRAE, ...
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Breeding and reintroduction
Cathy Gibault, veterinarian dedicated to the Crau Plain Grasshopper
Published: Septembre 19 2022
Cathy Gibault is a veterinarian who has worked for more than 15 years in zoos on conservation programmes for threatened species. Since 2014, she has been contributing to the improvement of knowledge about the Crau Plain Grasshopper. Today ...