birding...

The region consists of the Departments of: Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne & Pyrenees-Atlantique. The traditional Provinces of: Guyenne & Gascogne and Bearn. It is also home of the Basque people.

Renowned for its strong hunting tradition This area of France has a lot to offer to the daring birder, if you can stay well clear of the hunters and manage not to drink to much Bordeaux.

From the mouth of the Gironde to the foothills of the Pyrenees, coastal dune systems, ancient woodland, pine plantations patched with heathland and large-scale cereal production, give way close to the river systems to vineyards & low cliffs. This rich and varied birding region is marred only by the militant hunters in the autumn, who are prepared to blast even protected species out of the sky.

The key birding spots are:

The Gironde Estuary & Coast - Pointe de Grave:
star spring migration spot at the north tip of the Gironde. From mid March to the end of May, the LPO maintains a counting camp (usually mornings only). Hirundines in their thousands head north, accompanied by hobbies. Kites, ospreys, harriers, honey buzzards, peregrines, storks, spoonbills, hoopoes, golden orioles, waders, too many species to list.

The Gironde Estuary - the Marais de Conseiller:
a local nature reserve at le Verdon covering former saltpans and marshland, is good for black-winged stilts, lapwings & waders, as well as all three harrier species. Montague’s harriers are especially frequent in the North Medoc area.

The Gironde Estuary - North Medoc marshes:
LPO’s L’Oiseau magazine calls this “the other jewel of the estuary”. Mainly grazed wetlands to the northern end & polders to the south. A network of hedges & ditches offer a varied habitat for a broad range of species. Cycle tracks & lanes allow good observation access The hedges are home in spring & summer to skylarks, nightingales, bluethroats, shrikes, fan-tailed warblers. White storks & heron species are attracted to the area by the numerous amphibian species. Short-toed eagles are occasionally seen as they stray from their coastal woodland breeding sites.

The Gironde Estuary - Jau-Dignac:
former island now surrounded by marshland –home to bee-eaters, hoopoes & yellowhammers.

The Gironde Coast - Pine Forests:
Short-toed Eagles nest in the region - nesting sites are monitored in the south of the Medoc . Also rare white-shouldered kites.

The Gironde Coast - Pointe de Cap Ferret:
Autumn equivalent of Point de Grave.

Arcachon Basin - La Teich:
SW France’s Minsmere -large organised bird-reserve with varies habitats & English version of website [listed below]

Landes - Arjuxanx:
lakes formed on the site of former lignite mines. Major winter (November to February) home to more than 20,000 common cranes, plus thousands more passing through on migration, feeding on grain fields during the day & returning to roost on the lakes. Nightjars, shrikes & bee-eaters nest here. 177 species observed so far.

Landes - Marais D’Orx:
the Conservatoir du Littoral is returning former drained areas to natural wetland. One observatory, no hides but lakeside paths. Good for nesting spoonbills, kites, marsh harriers, kingfishers, Cettis warblers. Occasional ospreys on migration, as well as ducks & geese in winter. Has several gites for rent.

Landes - Adour River ‘Les Barthes’:
Flood plain wetlands provide rich habitat. St Martin de Seignanx Bergusté & Lesgaux reserves managed by local hunters! Several pairs of black-shouldered kites breed in the Adour river area – population is increasing but nest locations are a closely kept secret.

Pyrenees Atlantique - Organbidexxka:
Autumn migration count centre high up in the Pyrenees – spectacular in good weather. Chalets & camping available nearby. Two other count centres at lower altitude at Lindux & Lizarrieta.

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