Final year field course returns to rugged Anglesey

An annual Harper Adams field course has returned to Anglesey in North Wales.

The field course – which includes final year students whose degrees cover Environment, Wildlife, and Zoology - is a residential event which involves students visiting various locations across the island, including field work at Newborough Warren thanks to the kind permission of Natural Resources Wales.

In preparation for the event, the first five weeks of the Environment and Geography Field Course module sees students prepare a group project – before working on that project in the diverse range of habitats which Anglesey presents.

Taking place in November means that the students (and staff) on the trip sometimes face adverse weather conditions – but the trip is a valued and much anticipated teaching tool, which directly leads on to a number of Honours Research Projects for the students.

Here’s a roundup of the visit – with thanks to  Dr Andy Wilcox, Head of the Agriculture and Environment Department, Lecturer in Entomology Dr Ben Clunie, and more!

I have some very fond memories of Angelsey

— Andrew Hill (@Andythrill) November 7, 2023

Kit distributed and ready to go! Early signs indicate no rain today... #wildlife and #zoology final year field course in #Anglesey looking good! @dr_andy_wilcox @HarperAdamsUni pic.twitter.com/ZWeIEeGWJJ

— Dr Ben Clunie (@benclunie) November 6, 2023

Whose idea was it to stage a field course in November? #Anglesey ?? @AngleseyScMedia pic.twitter.com/2cH9x3y3Z9

— Andy Wilcox (@dr_andy_wilcox) November 6, 2023

I don't think you can fully appreciate the wind in this photo but the hat did not stay on for long #independentropicalwales https://t.co/tMLNoALrBS

— Dr Ben Clunie (@benclunie) November 6, 2023

Been a full on day on the #Wildlife and #Zoology #FieldCourse One group is looking at disturbance with increasing distance from footpaths at #Newborough @AngleseyScMedia @HarperAdamsUni pic.twitter.com/eGL0fgZgUI

— Andy Wilcox (@dr_andy_wilcox) November 6, 2023

Some pretty extreme individuals enjoying the wind just off #Newborough today????@AngleseyScMedia pic.twitter.com/mIwbxrWpQT

— Andy Wilcox (@dr_andy_wilcox) November 6, 2023

Students looking at interface between plantation and dune systems today at #Niwbwrch NNR today. Vegetation surveys and abiotic factors all recorded across a serious number of transects! @HarperAdamsUni #wildlife & #zoology final year field course #Anglesey pic.twitter.com/VUiooMZI3d

— Dr Ben Clunie (@benclunie) November 7, 2023

@benclunie and I went on a quest to find red squirrels as all the students on our @HarperAdamsUni #wildlife and #zoology field course seemed to have spotted one! Even managed to get a decent(ish) photo #Anglesey #Newborough @AngleseyScMedia @OutdoorAnglesey ????? pic.twitter.com/UhmzEgUlBV

— Andy Wilcox (@dr_andy_wilcox) November 7, 2023

Headed up to #SouthStack for sunset with @NicolaPRandall and @benclunie Not quite as impressive as last night but still very lovely. #Anglesey @AngleseyScMedia @OutdoorAnglesey pic.twitter.com/bPJUZq0wBS

— Andy Wilcox (@dr_andy_wilcox) November 7, 2023

Gooseneck barnacles a highlight of this mornings @HarperAdamsUni #wildlife and #zoology field course. Porth Dafarch, #Anglesey. Had to make do with other invertebrates in place of limited insect activity! pic.twitter.com/WkF7ZohXTd

— Dr Ben Clunie (@benclunie) November 8, 2023

Data analysis and research presentation day for the @HarperAdamsUni final year #Wildlife and #Zoology students. Everyone very engaged and working hard! @NicolaPRandall @benclunie pic.twitter.com/WQpI8FnNQn

— Andy Wilcox (@dr_andy_wilcox) November 8, 2023

The resident Choughs on fine form today at South Stack with their acrobatic displays #Anglesey @AngleseyScMedia @OutdoorAnglesey pic.twitter.com/ztEbwITWVp

— Andy Wilcox (@dr_andy_wilcox) November 8, 2023

I present to you the class of @HarperAdamsUni 2023 #Wildlife and #Zoology #FieldCourse students (well those who came to #SouthStack and did not stay to work on their presentations anyway ??) ???? pic.twitter.com/1rzq2AU2JQ

— Andy Wilcox (@dr_andy_wilcox) November 8, 2023

Today was presentation day for @HarperAdamsUni final year #Wildlife and #Ecology students on the field course at @OutdoorAnglesey Great deliveries on a range of interesting topics and a full house! ?????????? pic.twitter.com/VRfHb0zTRg

— Andy Wilcox (@dr_andy_wilcox) November 9, 2023

Well that is a wrap for the @HarperAdamsUni final year 2003 #Wildlife & #Zoology field course! Big thank you to @OutdoorAnglesey for a wonderful stay, @NatResWales for permission to use #Newborough & @AngleseyScMedia for the retweets. See you next year! #Anglesey ??????????? pic.twitter.com/7vuokhKff3

— Andy Wilcox (@dr_andy_wilcox) November 10, 2023