Learning outcomes

By the end of this field course, students will be able to (1) identify common birds, amphibians, and reptiles in Belgium; (2) describe their preferred habitats and typical behaviors; (3) describe the techniques used to survey and monitor populations; and (4) understand the conservation issues associated with these species.

Goals

We will cover, in particular, the identification of our avifauna (visually and by song) and herpetofauna, as well as various concepts of environmental biology: wildlife inventory methods, species protection status (and conservation status) and current legislation, the search for rare (or protected) plants, habitat description, the definition of key issues, and so on.

Teaching methods

The environmental biology field course (covering ornithology and herpetology) takes place over three days in the spring. Students will visit several sites that represent the region's diverse habitats—including open, semi-open, and wooded areas, as well as wetlands and elevated terrain—offering a representative overview of Belgian bird and reptile/amphibian life. Sites are selected based on habitat types, weather conditions, and current ornithological and herpetological activity. Knowledge is built progressively through hands-on observation and the guidance and input of the instructors.

Assessment method

The assessment takes place approximately 15 days after the training course.

Bird identification from photographs (with and without a guide), identification of reptile and amphibian specimens, questions on phenology and ethology, and auditory identification (birdsongs).

Sources, references and any support material

For the curious (not required texts to purchase):

Speybroeck, J., Beukema, W., Bok, B., & Van Der Voort, J. (2016). Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Britain and Europe. Bloomsbury Publishing

Svensson, Lars, Mullarney, Killian et Zetterström, Dan (2015). Le guide ornitho : Le guide le plus complet des oiseaux d'Europe, d'Afrique du Nord et du Moyen-Orient (3e éd.). Delachaux et Niestlé

Jacob, J.-P., Dehem, C., Burnel, A., Dambiermont, J.-L., Fasol, M., Kinet, T., van der Elst, D., & Paquet, J.-Y. (Eds.). (2010). Atlas des oiseaux nicheurs de Wallonie 2001-2007. Série « Faune - Flore - Habitats », n° 5. Aves & Service public de Wallonie (Département de l'Étude du milieu naturel et agricole), Gembloux, 526 p.

Language of instruction

French