Taster day
ROUGH PLAN 08.30
Expedition leader at the meeting point
08.45
Participants at the meeting point
09.00
Start of taster day (please be punctual!)
09.00 – 09.30
Overview, introduction of participants and staff
Morning
Safety talk. Introduction to research techniques and equipment such as GPS, compass, hand-held radios, camera traps, radio telemetry equipment, data sheets and data collection techniques, recognising animal tracks and signs, etc. Trying out the equipment.
Noon
Lunch (bring your own lunch pack). Introduction to National Park & packing up.
Afternoon
Field walk or boat/canoe expedition, where possible telemetry work.
Afterwards
Expeditions presentation, questions, farewells Those who would like to can join staff at a nearby pub or restaurant 2
SHORT INTRODUCTION TO TASTER DAY • Get a feel for what it’s like to be on expedition • Get to know Biosphere Expeditions staff & philosophy • Overcome fears • Obtain information • Getting you hooked • Inform / try / experience • Talks, equipment, skills, field walk, canoe/boat expedition • Changes to the programme
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SHORT INTRODUCTIONS • Who, motivations, expectations • National Park
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SAFETY • The three Ss = Safety, Science, Satisfaction • Part of all expeditions • 80% - 10% - 10% • Stats: Expeditions safer than DIY (but car accidents & river crossings) • Real (blisters, sun) und perceived risks (snakes, spiders, etc.) • People with medical skills in the group – attempt to save your life? • Questions are encouraged! Always! • You will be treated like adults! 5
SAFETY • Sunburn / stroke • Dehydration • Rain & wet • Blisters • Thorns • Insects (wasps & mosquitoes) – people with allergies? • Appropriate footwear & clothing, eat & drink, sun protection • Emergency plan • Canoe/boat (if canoe/boat expedition) ► canoe/boat guide
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EQUIPMENT
GPS = Global Positioning System, US military, public since 1983 24+ satellites in orbit (3,9 km/s speed, 20 km altitude) GPS is nothing more than a signal receiver Must “see” at least two satellites > 2D navigation If it “sees” three or more satellites > 3D navigation
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Position latitude and longitude Latitude divided into North (N) or South (S) of equator Longitude divided in East (E) or West (W) of Greenwich Both divided into degrees (º), minutes (‘), seconds (‘’) Example Brandenburg Gate:
N 52°30′59″
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E 13°22’40’’
Position is shown on GPS on the “position� page together with Accuracy Satellite position Signal strength & satellite number Enter into datasheet e.g. position of camera trap, animal, track, event, etc.
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“PAGE”
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Rename marked point e.g. “Base” “MARK” 14
NOTE: GPS is not a compass ► user must be moving for it to work like one To navigate “home”, please engage brain
“FIND” 15
KOMPASS Direction-of-travel arrow Red magnetised needle called “Fred”, points north
Housing with declination marks in degrees Red orienting arrow on housing, called “Shed”
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TAKING A BEARING Point direction-oftravel arrow to object
Then put “Fred” in the “Shed” = turn housing until red orienting arrow encloses red needle Read off bearing (in degrees) on black line
Enter data into datasheet
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BINOCULARS
Eye cups to be adjusted for naked eye or glasses Focus wheel
Axes to match distance between eyes (one circle, not two!)
Tip: When sighting distant objects, look at the object with the naked eye first, then “flip up” the binoculars
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SPOTTING SCOPES
Magnification wheel
Focus wheel
Magnification wheel
Focus wheel
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CAMERA TRAP
Works with infrared just like your patio lights at home “Time Out” set to “1” = 1 minute pause between taking pictures “Resolution” set to “HI” = pictures taken at high resolution NOTE: Never move “Cam” switch from “OFF” directly to “PIR” (passive infrared). Instead stop at “TEST” first (until front display shows “tESt”), then switch to “PIR” Remove batteries = lose pictures Do not point directly west or east (sun!) – use your compass
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Place 1 – 2 m high, angling slightly downwards Remove branches and leaves in front of PIR sensor “Cam” switch to “TEST” – green light to confirm – if everything okay, switch to “PIR”, then move away within one minute 23
TELEMETRY
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Unfold antennae Switch “ON”. Remains on for 3 minutes, then switches off automatically (even when in use). Select “CHANNEL”. Normally channel 1.
Fine tune channel using “TUNE”. Change intensity/volume of signal using “GAIN”.
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A = Transmitter / animal with transmitter B = Person with receiver MAX = Maximum intensity / volume / amplitude C = Signal intensity decreases
TIPS: Use GAIN lots and TUNE little or not at all Turn slowly varying antenna position between horizontal and vertical The closer you get to the transmitter, the less GAIN you need = more fine tuning
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HAND-HELD RADIOS On/Off & volume Channel (always “1”, otherwise error tone) Talk button Press = talk/transmit Release = listen/receive
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NOTE: All other buttons have no function and will emit error tone when pressed. A hand-held radio is not a mobile phone. You can either talk or listen, not both. Press talk button (count “21” in your head), talk. This gives the radios time to connect to each other. Leave the things switched on, as otherwise you won’t be able to receive! Always empty rechargeable battery completely before changing it (double beep). 35
MISC Night sights Distance measurer Sample datasheets Safety information Log book First aid kits Poison extractor 37
FIELD WALK OR BOAT/CANOE EXPEDITION TRYING OUT THE GEAR
PRESENTATION BIOSPHERE EXPEDITIONS WORLDWIDE
Biosphere Expeditions, Henderson Centre, Ivy Road, Norwich NR5 8BF T: +44-870-4460801 F: 4460809 E: uk@biosphere-expeditions.org www.biosphere-expeditions.org