L'Enclos de la
Daby
Birdwatching Walks in Provence
Some of the
finest birdwatching areas in Southern France are
within easy reach of Le Beausset. In spring and
autumn a number of rare migrating birds can be found. Walks are now being
offered based at L'Enclos de la Daby
with neighbour and friend - Pierre Serra – acting as a guide (in the summer he
organises whale watching trips).
Hoopeo Photographer Vezon
Thierry
LA SAINTE BAUME
This is an
ancient pilgrimage destination as being the home of Mary Magdalen
for the last thirty years of her life. A chapel is built inside the large
grotto that gives it its name (Baume : cave in old Provençal). The Mediterranean and the Alps can be seen from
the top of the cliffs. All four seasons are worth a visit but the best times
are migration periods, from March to late May and late August to November.
The nearest
base of Subalpine Limestone range (elevation: 1100 meters) is situated about 15
kilometers away from le Beausset,
and is reachable in half an hour by car. The southern slope is covered with
Mediterranean brush (Maquis) and the northern side by
a the remains of a beech and oak forest.
Eurasian Eagle Owl
Photogrpaher Marc Baldwin
Species that
can be found include rock birds such as the Blue Thrush, Rock Thrush, Crag
Martin, Alpine Swift, Rock Bunting, Tawny Pipit, and - in the winter only – Wallcreeper, plus five species of Mediterranean Warblers, Ortolan Ounting, and Woodlark.
Two pairs of Bonelli’s Eagles nest in the area. Other
raptors visiting from the nearby Alps include the Short-Toed Eagle, Goshawk,
Eagle Owl, Golden Eagle and Griffon Vulture. In the forest there are also Black
Woodpeckers. Many more species can be seen at migrating times. Dotterels, on
their way to Africa, stop for a few days on the summit in September, and are so
tamed that they can almost be touched by hand.
Eurasian Black Vulture
Photographer Markus Jais
GORGES du VERDON
The 'Great
Canyon' of the Verdon is a very scenic area of the
Limestone pre-Alps, with back country roads takes about two hours. It can be
visited all year round
- including on a sunny day in Winter- but March to October is best.
All four
species of European Vulture can be seen there. The Griffon Vulture has been
reintroduced, and breeds on the impressive cliffs. The Black Vulture has
recently been reintroduced, and the Bearded Vulture - reintroduced in the
Southern Alps -
frequently visits the Verdon area. The
Egyptian Vulture, attracted by the presence of its larger cousins and the
feeding spots, is now seen again, as are Nesting Golden Eagles, Short-Toed
Eagles, Peregrine Falcons. All species of rock birds
are found, including the Rock Partridge. Cirl
Bunting, Chough, Ravens, and so on. Altogether a very
interesting place not just for bird experts but also for botanists and reptile
fans.
Bonelli's Eagle Photographer
Alexander Poellingo
LA CAMARGUE
This is one of
the largest and most famous wet areas in Europe. With freshwater and salt
marshes, dunes and beaches, and rice paddies, there is a great variety of birds
and biotopes.
It is situated
about one hour and a half away, and in order to enjoy fully the rich biotopes,
and especially if the nearby Plain of Crau, it is
better to spend at least two full days there. The Society for the Protection of
Nature (the SNPN) owns a large hostel in the heart of the marshes, equipped
with kitchen, bird blinds and nature walks.
Eurasien Bee-Eater Photographer
Bogdan Boev
The Camargue is interesting all year round but July-August is
crowded with tourists and mosquitoes. The birdlife is rich and varied. In
winter, there are thousands of surface, diving and sea ducks. Large numbers of
waders and shorebirds - wintering or migrating – include the Black-Winged
Stilt, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis. There are Marsh
Harriers, the rare wintering Spotted Eagle, Black Kites, several species of
raptors, and Great Flamingos all year round. Over ten species of Heron have
been seen in the Camargue, including Purple Heron,
Great Egret, and Squacco Heron. In the warm seasons
the colourful 'African' birds are there, such as the Bee-Eater, Blue Roller,
and Hoopoe. The Mediterranean Gull and Slender-Billed Gull are among the sea
birds, with nine different species of Tern. Bearded Reedling,
White Stork and Black Stork, Pratincole, Cetti’s Warbler and many others can also be seen.
Purple Heron
Phtographer Harold Stiver
On the other
side of the Rhone river the Plain of Crau is a steppe hosting two species of birds that can be
seen in no other place in Europe outside of Spain – the Lesser Kestrel and Pintailed Sandgrouse. Stone
Curlew, Little Bustard, Short-Toed and Crested Lark also live in this Biotope
(which is highly dependent on grazing flocks of sheep). A bird blind built on
the roof of a sheep farm can be visited, and there are a great variety of
reptiles and insects, plus the highest number of Dragonfly species in Western
Europe.
SALINS d'HYERES
The salt
marshes of Hyères, which form a little Camargue, are about 40 minutes away, and are also worth a
visit at any time of year (though again July-August should be avoided). Two sandspits extending towards the Giens
peninsula – with Porquerolles island
nearby - form a rare geological feature called a 'Double Tombolo'.
Ponds, sand dunes and former saltmarshes host a
variety of waterbirds, wintering and migrant, and
there are excellent nature walks as well as blinds.
Lesser Kestrel Photographer Markus Jais
L'ENCLOS de la DABY
In winter the
houses sleep two or four people, so that a group of 6 or 8 people can stay for
a week, and arrange to go hiking to look at birds. There are many excellent
walks, down by the sea, in the hills or perhaps exploring the dramatic creeks
of the Calanques de Cassis (before eating a delicious
lunch looking out onto the port and savering the
famous Cassis white wine).
Details and
prices for the houses are on the website: www.cottagesinprovence.co.uk.
It is presumed
that birdwatchers will provide their own transport, and nourishment. However,
details of suitably located restaurants are available. The guide charges 150E
for a day trip, and details of routes will also be available.
Pintailed Sandgrouse Photographer
Yoram Shpirer
L'Enclos de la Daby 83330 le Beausset