On the Expedition
Monitor a stunningly beautiful bird by cycling through the countryside of Southern France to protect regional biodiversity.
Deep in the picturesque Provencal region, you’ll help monitor and protect the stunning European Roller (Coracias garrulus)—and therefore the overall biodiversity of Provence. This charismatic farmland bird, known for its startling blue plumage, is threatened by wetland degradation, intense over-cropping, overgrazing, forest fires, and development.
Working with the research team, you’ll cycle several kilometres a day to many diverse observation sites and use techniques such as biological transects and nest box scat-analysis, and video analysis of nest boxes. You’ll assess European Roller population size and growth rates, to find out specifically which land use practices are best tolerated by these birds. Your research will take you into both the heart of the Provencal countryside and the hillslope regions of the province.
Meals and Accommodations
You will be treated to excellent food, with an abundance of fresh, locally produced ingredients including lots of fruits and vegetables (vegetarian diets are easily accommodated), lamb or beef from local livestock, and fresh seafood. Volunteers are welcome to join in the cooking and learn some local recipes! An early breakfast of bread, spreads and coffee is self-service; lunch is at 12:30 pm and dinner at 7:30 pm. For research convenience, some lunches might be taken as picnics to have in the field.
You’ll stay in Les Tourades, a permanent field study center located just east of Pont de Crau, in the heart of the Vallée des Baux. Les Tourades has roughly 2 hectares of wooded gardens and a swimming pool. The center accommodates up to 19 people in 6 shared bedrooms. It also has two graduate student offices and one staff office, a laboratory, communal living room, kitchen, dining room & 5 bathrooms.
Les Tourades is situated in the countryside near a large marsh and traditional farmland, 6 km east of Arles, which is easily reached by a gentle bike ride.
About the Research Area
The Provence region is well known for its superb cuisine, stunning views, and fantastic climate. During the project you will have the opportunity to experience these things as well as witness a fantastic diversity of plant and animal life.
Three major cities (Marseille, Montpellier, Avignon) are within 60 km of the field study center, along with Four World Heritage sites in the region. The nearby small city of Arles hosts the National Photography College as well as Van Gogh’s residence, Roman era ruins, and Les Baux de Provence castle.
More than 350 bird species have been recorded in the region, supporting the establishment of many protected natural areas. Mosquitoes and summer heat can be minor discomforts, but overall Provence has a very mild climate with average temperatures of 10°C/50°F in the winter and of 30°C/86°F in the summer. The sun shines almost every day of the year and rain usually occurs in short showers.
The presence of different ecosystems (wetlands, steppes, farmland, cliffs, and forests) makes the area unique and very attractive for wildlife. The flora is typically Mediterranean with the main flowering season between March and May. Important wintering bird populations such as ducks, raptors, and finches use the large wetlands and extensive farmlands. Breeding birds include waterbirds (flamingo, ibis, heron, and wader), farmland birds (Roller, bee-eater, owl, and songbirds), steppic birds (bustard, sand grouse, larks) and threatened raptors (Bonelli eagle, Lesser kestrel).
Since ancient Greek times, human societies have used the great resources of area: fish and shellfish from the lagoons, livestock from the extensive salt marshes, and various fruits: peaches, apricots, almonds, melons, apples, pears, olives, and, of course, grapes, with several great wines being produced in the area.