THE CAMARGUE, FRANCE
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"Just a little note to say a very big thank you for a wonderful holiday in the Camargue last week. We have been on a few birding holidays but last week was the greatest! Thank you for your patience and all the wonderful tips you gave us to help with identification."...... Mr and Mrs M, Barnsley, August 2007
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This well-known wetland in southern France, famous for its colony of Greater Flamingos, is the venue for this exciting birdwatching holiday. Over the years, our spring visits here have been amongst the most popular of all our holidays and we therefore recommend early booking to avoid disappointment.
French folklore and literature are strewn with tales and references to the wild white horses, the gypsies and the fighting bulls for which this region is famed. The most discerning birdwatcher will, however, find that the Camargue has even more to offer. There is a very satisfying range of habitats, from reedbeds and marshes to open stony plains. Add to these riparian woodland, limestone hills and imposing mountains and you will appreciate how our previous groups have managed to see an impressive diversity of bird life. We should also have time to enjoy the cultural delights of Arles during a walk around this Roman town, and to visit the hauntingly beautiful ruins of Les Baux, high in Les Alpilles. As if the list of birds is not mouth-watering enough, our clients on previous holidays have told us that we must stress just how good the wonderful French cuisine is at the Hotel des Granges. We first used this hotel 17 years ago, and look forward to returning each time.
A week's stay gives us time to comfortably cover all of the interesting and varied birdwatching habitats listed above. Not only will we visit the bird-rich lakes and marshes of the delta, we shall also explore La Crau, Les Alpilles, Le Pont du Gard and Mont Ventoux.
The area is dominated by the Etang de Vaccarès, a large inland sea. It is nowhere deep, and provides a perfect habitat for wading birds, notably Avocet, Black-winged Stilt and Little Egret, with Kentish Plover in the drier areas. In the southern part of the vast complex of lakes there is a huge colony of Greater Flamingos. The 14,000 pair colony will be a hive of activity at the time of our visit and flights of these wonderful birds will be a regular sight, leaving a lasting memory with all visitors. Equally interesting, if not so spectacular, are the many other birds which breed in this area. Bitterns are heard and occasionally glimpsed as they fly low over a reedbed. Gull-billed, Whiskered and Black Terns can be watched feeding over the marshes. A whole host of species compete for the sound waves including Melodious, Spectacled and Fan-tailed Warblers. They are, however, drowned out by three of the loudest songsters, Great Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler and Nightingale.
Marsh Harriers hunt low over the reedbeds to the concern of nesting ducks, which include Red-crested Pochard, Garganey and Shelduck. For anyone new to foreign birdwatching the sight of large numbers of Little Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Purple Herons and Night Herons with the occasional Squacco Heron or Little Bittern is simply wonderful. That is not to say that the seasoned traveller will not be equally impressed. However, they will probably be more concerned with finding a range of scarce visitors such as Great White Egret, Glossy Ibis, Collared Pratincole, Slender-billed Gull or White-winged Black Tern.
To the east of the Camargue is a stony desert-like area, known as La Crau. Once the delta of the River Durance, the area is now very dry and has been taken over by sheep farmers. Four species of shrike are possible. Red-backed, Woodchat and Southern Grey are the most likely. Lesser Grey is distinctly rare these days. Birds of prey are often encountered, the most common being the ubiquitous Black Kite. Common Buzzards, Short-toed Eagles and Montagu's Harriers frequent this area too.
Little Bustards will be seen displaying on a morning visit and we may also see the superb Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, a bird on the very edge of its range. In contrast to the rather pale brown plumage of most birds here, the striking metallic blue Roller and beautiful Bee-eaters will add a welcome splash of colour.
To the north of the Camargue the beautiful limestone hills of Les Alpilles are famous for their ancient remains, particularly the spectacular rock fortress of Les Baux. Set against these impressive remains we will watch superb Alpine Swifts hurtling across the skies. Birds of prey are frequent here and with a little luck we will see Bonelli's and Short-toed Eagles and Egyptian Vulture.
We have rarely failed to find the magnificent Eagle Owls which breed in the area. Luck has been on our side in recent years with the discovery of an Eagle Owl site just 15 minutes from our hotel, where we have been treated to excellent views. Other species typical of this beautiful place include European Nightjar, Crag Martin and Blue Rock Thrush. In the bushes singing warblers include Sardinian, Subalpine and Dartford.
To the west of Arles the Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard provides a superb backdrop to this excellent birdwatching location. The aqueduct itself provides the focus of our interest as the three specialities here all nest in it. Rock Sparrows, with their stripy heads and white tail spots, call to each other as Alpine Swifts and Crag Martins hawk insects over the river. The views we get of the Alpine Swifts are truly breathtaking – they literally skim over our heads! Kingfishers can be glimpsed flying along the river and male Golden Orioles call to each other from the trees along the river bank. Other birds regularly seen here include Short-toed Treecreepers, Spotted Flycatchers, Serins, Cirl Buntings and occasional Honey Buzzards.
Mont Ventoux is the highest mountain in the area and supports a range of birds quite different from those in the surrounding land. To see all its species you must ascend the full 6262 feet, but fortunately this can be done in the vehicle, as there is a metalled road to the café at the summit. Regular stops on the way up will produce a good variety of birds, some in unusually high densities for this altitude.
The first birds which we will come across may remind us of home and it will be the first time during the week that we will see Common Chiffchaff, Northern Wheatear, Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit, Wren, Dunnock and Chaffinch. The British connection is further emphasized by Crested Tits, Black Redstarts, Crossbills and Woodlarks, but when you see your first singing male Rock Bunting or Western Bonelli’s Warbler you will know that this is no British mountain. Citril Finches are one of Mont Ventoux's specialities and are found in very good numbers towards the summit. With a little patience we can normally get good views of this sprightly yellow, green and grey jewel. A superb male Rock Thrush provided what we expected to be the highlight of one trip, until, as we sat having our picnic in a lovely alpine meadow the shout of 'Black Woodpecker!' went up. Sightings of this spectacular species have been obtained on most subsequent visits.
Breakfast will be taken at 7.30am most mornings, and at 7am on one morning. Basic fitness is all that is required. Day long birdwatching excursions will be made and short walks on the flat will be undertaken regularly. Visits to Les Alpilles and Mt Ventoux will involve some uphill walking, but at a sensible pace.
Full-board accommodation is provided in the Hotel des Granges, on the outskirts of Arles. This hotel has proved most popular over the years, with excellent French food and wine complementing the superb birdwatching. All rooms have en suite bathrooms. Arles is a town just north of the Camargue, central to all of the sites we shall visit. Picnic lunches will be taken every day.
PRICE INCLUDES …..
All birdwatching excursions with expert leader, full-board accommodation (starting with dinner on 16th, ending with lunch on 23rd), soft drinks at meal times, local transport by mini-bus, international flights and airport taxes.
Our optional travel insurance, payable at the time of booking. Items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks, laundry.
Return flight from Manchester to Nice using the scheduled services of Jet2. Outbound flight departs early afternoon, return flight arrives back early evening. Meals are not provided on this flight.
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7 nights: Principal leader:
Maximum group size:
Cost with discount (if you book before 31st January 2009):
Full Cost:
Single supplement:
Deposit:
Insurance premium:
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16th to 23rd May 2009
John McLoughlin
7 clients with one leader or 13 clients with two leaders
£1280 per person sharing
£1380 per person sharing
£120
£300
£26 due at time of booking (£39 for age 65 to 69) (£52 for age 70 and over)
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