Our team is now in Bratislava, preparing for the journey out to the study base camp in the Carpathian Mountains.

Throughout August and September, the research team operates in shifts. Here are extracts from the diaries of the first research team. Corporate Solutions' team members join the expedition tomorrow (27/08) - updates on their progress will be posted here.

14 August

The first slot of the Slovakia 2006 expedition is now well under way. Some members of the expedition started getting to know one another over dinner on Saturday evening in Bratislava and the whole team met for the first time on Sunday morning. We are a diverse mix of ages, interests and backgrounds that should make for an interesting two weeks.

Today started with an instructional session on the research equipment, everyone having an opportunity to use binoculars, rangefinders, spotting scope, radios and digital cameras. The emergency field procedures, use of
emergency flares and whistle were explained as well as the important theme of field navigation.

Tomorrow will be an opportunity to consolidate all that has been learned, gain some more experience identifying tracks and scats, practice using the equipment and collecting data in the field. We will start the day with a tracks and scats slide show put together by last year's expedition that is a big help to identification of signs in the field.   

17 August

After two days training in the use of field equipment and data recording the expedition members were ready to get out on their own to start collecting scat samples and record locations of large predator tracks. Yesterday we split up into four groups to start surveying some of the trails starting in the lower forests and extending above the tree line into dwarf pine and alpine meadow habitats. Team one: Jamie, Fiona, Johann and Ariane, took a route that lead them up to a point on the main ridge and were able to make this year's first chamois observations, a group of seven individuals. We also collected the first two wolf scats of the year. Each evening, before dinner, we meet to review the results of the day. Each field team reports back on their days findings and Slavo has an opportunity to check that data sheets have been filled out correctly, with all the necessary information. Slavo also looks at digital photographs taken by the field teams of any animal signs they were unsure about. The difference between wolf and dog tracks sometimes causes confusion.

Today followed a similar pattern to yesterday with four field teams walking different routes. Jamie, Helmut, Leonie and Emily walked a route from Palenizka meadow along a side ridge up to Skalka peak. They managed to collect an impressive six wolf scats. We also found a large number of scats on this ridge last year so it seems to be a popular route for wolves. Bear tracks were also recorded in the forest zone and scats collected in the dwarf pine habitat above the timberline. The blueberry bushes are covered in berries at the moment, which provides an important food source for bears (judging by the colour of their scats) and also a tasty distraction from survey work.   

18 August

Today we split into four field teams covering forest tracks in the Lomnista and Vajskovska valleys. This completes the initial survey of this zone before we move further west. I took two of the teams in the Land Rover to their start points in the Lomnista valley. Unfortunately the forest office had given us the wrong gate key and we were unable to open the gate. While I was trying various tools from the Land Rover tool kit that might have provided some solution to the locked gate, Helmut spotted a possible driving route that circumnavigated the gate. Driving across the rocky stream would be no problem but the black muddy hole and steep slope back onto the forestry road on the other side might present more of a challenge. We all carefully walked the route removing rocks and tree branches that were potential Land Rover obstacles. Poking a stick into the boggy bit confirmed that despite looking like it could swallow a vehicle, it did indeed have a solid bottom. All went well until the black hole where the Land Rover came to a halt, wheels spinning. Fortunately straightening the steering to reduce the resistance to forward progress was all that was needed to release us from the mire and get back onto the road. My quest to get the Land Rover stuck continues.

Our collection of wolf and bear scats continues to grow (as does the smell in the basement garage where they are being stored). The scats are first collected in a plastic bag, this bag is then placed in an envelope to which a label is stuck containing all the relevant data such as: type of scat, whole or partial, estimated age, GPS location and altitude. It is wolf scats that have by far the strongest smell and, along with size, this is one of their distinguishing features. The scats will be soaked in water and the contents separated and identified to provide information on the animal's diet. In the case of wolves, the scats contain many bones and hairs which can be identified under the microscope to ascertain the prey species. If wolves are predating the chamois population on the ridge it would be expected to find chamois hair in the scats. At the end of each year's expedition Slavo still has a huge task ahead of him to analyse the scats that we have collected. This year he is lucky to have a research assistant, Michaela from Germany, to help him with this laborious task. Michaela has already made a start processing the scats that we have collected in the last few days. This is also providing an opportunity for the expedition members to see how it's done and help out with this part of the study. 

We are hoping that the weather will be good enough this weekend to make our first trip onto the main ridge for chamois observation. Good weather is important as low cloud on the ridge reduces the visibility and makes it impossible to spot the chamois.

22 August

On Saturday morning we loaded up the Land Rover with provisions and equipment for a two night stay on the main study ridge. The drive up to Durkova hut follows a winding forestry track up the side of Lomnista valley before eventually emerging above the tree line. Another opportunity to get some mud on the Land Rover. Once at Durkova those of us not staying in the mountain hut set up tents and then we had an early lunch before setting off in groups of three to search for chamois. Alan, Jamie and Leonie made the first sighting of an adult male near Chabenec. This coincides with the most westerly point where chamois were observed on last year's expedition. Lone animals are, generally speaking, male and can be difficult to spot when they are at some distance from the observer. The technique required is to find a good observation point from which a large area of slope can be seen and to carefully scan the terrain using binoculars. Alan, who was also on the Slovakia expedition last year, is by now an expert spotter able to show other expedition members how it's done. When chamois have been spotted it's time to get comfortable and make observations for a minimum of 30 minutes. Location of the animals is made by recording the location of the observer (GPS), distance away (Rangefinder) and bearing (compass). The number, sex and age of the chamois is recorded along with climate and habitat details. Behavioural observations are also recorded on the data sheet such as activity patterns, protection behaviour and escape reactions.

Further along the ridge another lone chamois was spotted by Imogen, Fiona and Emily. This animal was about one kilometre away so we used the spotting scope to get a clearer view. Although the equipment we use for observation and data recording is not complicated to use, it often does take some time and experience to become proficient in its use. A good example is using the binoculars: team members with previous experience as birdwatchers can switch between using the naked eye and binoculars, locating the subject immediately. Those unfamiliar with binoculars often have to spend time searching around with the binoculars to find the object they can see by eye. Practice using the equipment definitely makes for more efficient observers. The spotting scope is useful to get a more detailed view of important characteristics such as horn size and shape, which aids identification of age and gender.

Tuesday was our day off. Some of the team went on a train ride to visit an open air museum about agriculture and forestry in Slovakia. Others preferred to relax around base camp. Leonie and Michaela even headed off into the woods armed with scat bags and data sheets (that's keen!). In the evening we had a barbeque and sat around the fire at base camp. After many enquiries we have eventually managed to borrow a guitar. While Helmut played, we sang along to some old favourites. Helmut plays regularly in a band and had brought a songbook with him. We started with Puff the Magic Dragon and finished with Bon Jovi. Great fun! Thanks Helmut! Maybe a guitar should be put on the expedition kit list? Helmut and his brother Johann have also turned out to be talented table football players. We have been holding a table football world cup at the local pub which we occasionally frequent in the evening. Germany beat England and Scotland, but were narrowly defeated by the local Slovakian team.

25 August

Despite a late night everyone was up and ready to get back in the field on Wednesday morning. Half the group went to Struhar valley with Slavo. This is an area used by both wolves and bears that has not been previously surveyed. Myself and the rest of the group drove to the chair lift and took it up to mid-station from where we walked up to Chopok hut on the main study ridge. The purpose of this was to get more data on chamois numbers from the eastern side of the ridge. We arrived at Chopok around lunchtime having seen four marmots on the way. Conditions were not ideal for chamois spotting in the afternoon with low cloud and a strong wind making observation difficult. We did manage to find one group of seven on the northern slope about 30 minutes walk from the hut. This was my first opportunity to spend a night in the hut at Chopok (usually I drive the Land Rover to Durkova hut, while Slavo covers the eastern section). I finally got to try the gulasch and hot wine that I had heard so much about from last year's team members. Definitely worth the walk.

On Thursday morning weather conditions were much better and we split into two teams to search for chamois to the west and north of Chopok. Both teams were successful with a total of 16 animals being observed. We also saw two doe red deer with fawns and Jamie spotted four adders (that probably gives him the expedition 'best snake spotter' award). Late morning we re-grouped back at the hut and tested to see if the coffee still tasted as good as it had at breakfast time. Then we all headed west to check for chamois on the ridge towards Stefanicka. We found another group of four and later a group of ten. The group of ten had three yearling animals but we saw no young (kids) born this year. This is unusual as it would normally be expected that 50% of adult female chamois would have young at this time. Chamois seen in groups are usually females and young, the males are usually solitary.

The implication of seeing no kids is that breeding success or survival of the kids has been very low this year. We had a good day all in all with a total count of 30 chamois. From Stefanicka we headed down the valley and back to the Land Rover. Back at base camp we met up with the others and
joined Slavo for a de-brief of the last few day's findings and a preliminary review of the data collected by this first slot of the 2006 expedition. Slavo and Michaela also showed us some of the wolf scats that have already been cleaned and contain hooves of young deer as well as hair from wild boar and red deer.

Friday was the last day for slot one. The drive back to Bratislava took a little longer than normal due to traffic and heavy rain. This is the most rain we have seen this slot - at least it waited until we had finished the field work!

Thanks to all the slot 1 team members for your hard work over the last couple of weeks. We collected 27 bear scats and 16 wolf scats. We made over 80 chamois observations. None of this would have been possible without you. It will take Slavo and Michaela some time to examine all the scats and input all the observation data. After the analysis is complete Slavo will be writing a report of the findings which will be sent out to everyone. Thanks again!

Watch this page for updates from the research team. More information on biosphere and its research can be found at http://www.biosphere-expeditions.org/