Christmas Birding in French Alps? (1 Viewer)

J

John Watson

Well-known member

• Nov 23, 2008

• #1

Hi everyone,

We are visiting my brother & family in Lyon, France over Christmas, and as we fly to/from Geneva, hope to fit in a day or so birding in the French Alps en route.

Does anyone have any good recommendations for ski resorts or other areas which are reliable for the alpine specialities in the winter?

Rock Partridge would be top of the list of things we would like to see, but realistically, would settle for Snowfinch, Alpine Chough, raptors etc

Thanks.

 

scary-canary

Canaries forever... and i'm not always scary, some

• Dec 14, 2008

• #2

I was thinking of spending a long weekend around annecy in February. Are there any good spots for winter birds, nutcrackers, snow finch, that i could persuade the family to visit? Hopefully they could play in the snow while I birdwatch.
Thanks

 

Ruby

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2008

• #3

I've only ever been there at April, but La Plagne has been reliable for Snow Finch, Nutcracker & Alpine Accentor during the 3 times I have been there.... plus lots of Alpine Choughs.


Ray

 

J

John Watson

Well-known member

• Dec 20, 2008

• #4

Hi Ray,

Thanks - we'll give it a try if we get a chance - any hints/tips for where to go at La Plagne?

Liz

 

Ruby

Well-known member

• Dec 20, 2008

• #5

John Watson said:

Hi Ray,

Thanks - we'll give it a try if we get a chance - any hints/tips for where to go at La Plagne?

Liz

Click to expand...

Hi Liz,

Good luck....

We usually stay in Belle Plagne and have seen Nutcracker in the trees around that location (although I suspect that any place is pretty much as likely as anywhere else).

Alpine Accentors and (particularly) Snowfinch can often be seen in flight but particularly favour the mountain restaurants above the tree-line, where they come and scrounge food.

Alpine Choughs are everywhere - sometimes in huge numbers!


All the best... Ray

 

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