Hartpury University students visited the Slimbridge Wetland Centre on Wednesday 22 January for an immersive and educational field trip, as part of their MSc Biodiversity Conservation programme.
The highlight of the day was a captivating demonstration of a traditional dog decoy technique, offering students a fascinating insight into historical bird capture methods and their modern-day conservation applications.
The demonstration featured ‘Piper’, a decoy dog specifically trained to lure ducks into a funnel net as part of predator-response behaviour. Remarkably, students observed ducks swimming from across the lake toward Piper, a reflection of their instinct to monitor potential predators. Piper remained on dry land, showcasing his skill in a safe and controlled environment.
Students learned more about the contemporary uses of this technique, particularly in targeted bird ringing and recapture projects. These projects play a crucial role in understanding migratory routes, population dynamics, and hunting pressures faced by wetland bird species in their ranges.
The field trip offered an extraordinary hands-on experience as students witnessed mallards being carefully ringed and released. This close interaction with the birds brought to life the importance of wetland conservation efforts, particularly in the UK’s role as a key wintering ground for migratory species.
The UK’s extensive wetlands, vast coastline, and relatively mild climate – thanks to the Gulf Stream – make it a vital destination for migratory birds from around the globe. The students learned that different populations of the same species utilise distinct migratory routes, forming what can be likened to bird highways. For example, mallards arriving at Slimbridge often travel from Finland and Russia, while those at Martin Mere in Lancashire, typically originate from Iceland.
The field trip underscored the incredible biodiversity supported by UK wetlands and the essential conservation work carried out by the Wildlife & Wetlands Trust (WWT).
Pursue a career in conservation by studying at Hartpury University
Many of Hartpury University’s undergraduate and postgraduate degrees have an applied, hands-on nature, meaning field trips to places like Slimbridge Wetland Centre form an important part of the learning experience.
At the undergraduate level, the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science degree explores the finer details of ecosystems, as well as human interaction with and their impact on the environment. Those with a keen interest in a career in the field of biology, looking to advance their understanding of living systems from small microbes to large-scale ecosystems should explore the BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences programme. The ever-popular BSc (Hons) Zoology allows students to immerse themselves in the theory and practical application of zoology, for a fulfilling career in biodiversity conservation.
Click here to explore the full range of animal degrees at Hartpury University.
