When
Jackie and I want to get away from it all, relax and do our own thing we head
off to our caravan in Normandie in France. We have been exploring this area over
a number of years and the birding here can be excellent. In our 2009 programme
we have two long weekends where we can show you around
a few of our favourite places.
Some
of the areas we visit include:
The
Cerisy Forest is an excellent area for woodpeckers including Middle-spotted and
other woodland species such as Firecrest and Crested Tit, mammals include Red
Squirrels and Red Deer.
We
will also be conveniently placed to explore the Carantan Marshes and the Pont
d'Ouve nature reserve where there is the possibility during the breeding season
to see Bluethroat, Marsh Warbler and both Savi's and Grasshopper Warblers. White
Storks and wildfowl and waders in autumn and winter.
The
Grand Vey and the Normandie beaches attract many waders and wildfowl during migration
in spring and autumn, and in winter divers, grebes and seaduck. Kentish Plover
is one of the local specialties (see the video clip to the right). Fan-tailed
Warbler is now a common breeding species here, but there are many birds that can
be found in this region that are not commonly seen in the UK.
Gatteville Phare is an excellent site for seawatching during migration and situated
about 40 minutes from Cherbourg. Gatteville is arguably the best seawatching site
in the La Manche region's 222 miles of coastline. Jackie and I have had some fantastic
seawatching here over the years. In fact I do not know a better place to seawatch
in a gale and heavy rain as it can be done from the comfort of your car if needs
be. The Snow Bunting in the video clip to the right was filmed here in November
2007.
The
Grande Vey is a superb estuarine habitat backed by polders where you can find
good numbers of waders and waterfowl and there is also a small population of Harbour
Seals. There is still a very good population of breeding Yellow Wagtails and Whinchat
here.
If
this has interested you in joining our Spring or Autumn weekend trips to Normandie
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