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How was it done?

Map of Netherlands (left) and study area (right)

Methods

Study area: Eems-Dollard, Netherlands

        4 sandbanks (WI, S1, S2, S3) [shaped lines on map]

Time frame: May – July 2010 (week 20 - 29)

Position of observers: situated slightly behind the dyke [star on map]

Observation time: 6 hours during low tide/day, 4 days/week

In total: 40 days; 227 hours

Sampling methods:

  • rotating scan sampling (Abundance)
  • scan sampling, continuous sampling (Mother-pup interaction)
  • continuous sampling (Disturbance)
Telescope

Material

  • Telescope and binoculars,
  • stopwatch,
  • worksheets for data collection,
  • weather adjusted clothes

… and a lot of patience to do observations during every weather condition, e.g. storm or extreme heat.

It´s not that easy as it looks like... :-)

How did it look like?

Harbour seals on a sandbank (distance ≤100m)

View through a telescope

So close and yet so far ... (distance ≤100m)


Responsible for this page: Director of undergraduate studies Biology
Last updated: 05/08/11