Field trips

Discovering the birds of Lundy Island

Students from the MSc Ecology, Evolution and Conservation course venture to Lundy Island to learn fundamental fieldwork techniques. In this blog, Max Khoo tells us about his experience birdwatching, accompanied by his photographs of the island’s wildlife and landscape. Find out more.

A ray of sunshine during lockdown

In autumn term 2020, during the second UK lockdown, 30 students from the MSc Ecology, Evolution and Conservation programme were granted permission to go on a residential to Lundy Island, a 1×3 mile rocky outcrop off the Devon coast. During their time on the Island they learned essential field skills, and explored its natural history, behavioural ecology and the evolution of its resident house sparrows. So how was this expedition able to go ahead, and what measures were put in place to ensure everyone’s safety? In this blog, Course Director, Dr Julia Schroeder, and student, Fahmida Nitu, reflect on their experiences during the trip, and the planning that went into getting it off the ground. Find out more.