TEOSS workshop #2 : La Demanda (Spain)

The first morning was hosted in sala municipal de Monterrubio. Florent Prunier (AEABA) intoduced the assistants to TETTRIS, TEOSS project and the different topics covered by the training. The group seems genuinely enthusiastic about participating to the workshop.

The lecture Introducción a los cantos de ortópteros by the Spanish expert Rafael Carbonell covered the basics of sounds and sound study, and was followed by practical exercices and study cases using software. Rafael generously offered a very useful library of sound files covering common species in Cataluña.

Baudewijn Odé, member of IUCN Orthoptera group, presented TEOSS methodology and the steps for recording Orthoptera’s sounds, from the field to the lab. In this project, data will be collected in Xeno-canto webpage. The detailled steps of the field protocole were studied with the participants. Later, Cécile Malige, a student doing practice in AEABA, presented the different recording devices used in the course and gave instructions.

After lunch in the village of Barbadillo de Herreros, it was time to set off and test the recording devices near the base camp. The observations and records of Orthoptera during the workshop are fully presented in the separate report:

https://aeaelbosqueanimado.org/en/final-teoss-field-trip-report-sierra-la-demanda/

In the late afternoon, the group received two extra talks. Marta Villasán (Observation.org / AEABA / e-coambiental) explained the importance of citizen science schemes and the use of Observation.org webpage for data recording. Florent Prunier presented the Caelifera species present in the area and a field guide designed specifically for the workshop.

Teh group reached Puerto del Manquillo at 10:00 and explore a range of grasslands, forests and shrubland in altitude ranging from 1.400 to 1.600 masl. The day was very hot and sunny.

During the picnic break, Baudewijn presented the different types of microphones he is using to study sound productions of Orthoptera.

We also visited North facing slopes at Valle del Sol (1.400-1.500 masl).

The group was hosted in the office of Agalsa Sierra de la Demanda, in the gorgeous village of Pineda de la Sierra.

For the first time, the participants started uploading the data and files collected in the morning. Much has to be learnt… CX, Observations, trimming files and of course putting a correct name on the pictures and sounds. Quite an intense session.

Baudewijn presented the different types of microphones he is using to study sound productions of Orthoptera (e.g. ultrasonic, professional, omnidirectional).

The second part of the field guide was also explored.

Ensifera are very active during the night and it is often the best time of the day to record their song. The group explored Hoya Ranas / Llanos de La Lastra with great succes. Among the many species recorded, observing Eugryllodes pipiens (photo Julien Barataud) singing was one of the workshop highlight.

The nature reserve of Lagunas de Neila offers an extraordinary variety of high altitude ecosystems, with deep water lakes, boggy streams, grasslands, pine forest and high altitude scrublands and stony substrates. The trip was the most beautiful of the workshop with some nice addition in the species list. We listen and looked hard for the elusive Callicrania. This very long session allow for every partiicpant to test all devices and record both Caelifera and Ensifera.

he backlog of records stated to build up… and it is necessary to spend time in the lab. We have difficulties with internet connection since the course is hosted in a village with low signal. After a session of Q&A, the group starts to gain its autonomy in managing the work flow.

Filippo Buzzetti, from Fondazione Museo Civico di Rovereto, gave a talk on sound production in Orthoptera, comparing the different anatomical features that allow the insects to sing. Recommended softwares: SeaPro and Cool Edit for sound treatment. Recording at home (anemochoric cameras with automation to subdivide an entire night’s audio into small fragments).

The first locality visited the grassy and lush sides of a streams near Hacinas in the lowland. A perfect locality to discover species restricted to wet vegetation.

Large river side and dry Juniper forest close to Hortigüela. The habitats were extremely dry and not much favourable to Orthoptera. The nicest recording was the courtship of Oedipoda males.

We were fortunate to count with the French Orthopterist Julien Barataud who shared with us his own experience with bioacoustics: the study of the variability of Barbitistes fischeri sound productions. The recent desciption of the new Iberian species Phaneroptera laticerca. And various exemples of songs produced by close relative species.

Back to Sierra de La Demanda and Collado de Canales. Altitude makes a difference and species are more abundant. Julien Barataud explains in detail the differences between the different types of ultrasonic detectors.

The last morning is hosted at Monterrubio again. We close the workshop with various conferences. XENO-CANTO GAPS IN ORTHOPTERA KNOWLEDGE – Baudewjin Odé; ORTHOPTEROIDEA (Florent Prunier); ECOLOGY & IMPORTANCE OF ORTHOPTERA FOR ECOSYSTEM VALIDATION (Ginés Rodríguez).

It was soon time to make a group picture and plan to see each other next year !

Of course, the second team was no less important than the first shift. Having said that, we repeated the contents and visited the same localities. It seems not too important to repeat the schedule here. The group was smaller with seven participants and it was easier and quicker to explain all the concepts covered by the workshop. Of course, we were better trained as teacher too (!). We spent three full days in the lab and the field.

In this occasion, we were fortunate to count, among the participants, with the presence of David Funosas, pHd at Université de Caen, with an on-going thesis on Orthoptera and bioacoustics.