Aquitaine France , help please (1 Viewer)

[Rene1958]

Hi I’m going to stay in the vicinity of Biarritz and was wondering if anyone can provide me with some locations within approximately an hours drive (bit more is ok) for bird watching/bird photography. It’s very difficult to get any kind of info so some input is highly appreciated!
Thanks very much
Rene

 

[Richard Prior]

Faune-aquitaine.org has daily sightings (you can switch the pages to English if you're not fluent in French bird names). The Where to Watch Birds in France book (Pegasus Publishing) has quit a few sites listed in the area you're visiting so I'd recommend getting that.

 

[01101001]

Also, have a look at this thread (particularly the very last suggestion): Wrynecks in France - Any Help Appreciated.

 

[Val35]

I guess Réserve Naturelle du Marais d'Orx and nearby Lac d'Hossegor should be good.
I've never been there myself though.

When are you going ?
Do you have any target birds in mind ?

 

[Rene1958]

I guess Réserve Naturelle du Marais d'Orx and nearby Lac d'Hossegor should be good.
I've never been there myself though.

When are you going ?
Do you have any target birds in mind ?

Many thanks for all the reactions. The reason I’m going to area is as I have been asked to give a nature/bird photography course for 5 days in the vicinity of Biarritz. It’s not so much about target birds but more about areas to go to, wander around and take pictures of birds. Landscapes and whatever else might show up. Unlike Spain there seems a lack of photohides as well. I also came across marais d’orx and hossegor but like you: don’t know anything about it. Hope this helps
Rene de Heer
www.naturepics.co.uk

 

[01101001]

Great pics!

 

[Val35]

Many thanks for all the reactions. The reason I’m going to area is as I have been asked to give a nature/bird photography course for 5 days in the vicinity of Biarritz. It’s not so much about target birds but more about areas to go to, wander around and take pictures of birds. Landscapes and whatever else might show up. Unlike Spain there seems a lack of photohides as well. I also came across marais d’orx and hossegor but like you: don’t know anything about it. Hope this helps
Rene de Heer
www.naturepics.co.uk

Yes, I don't think you'll find many photohides in France...Marais d'Orx has some hides, but not sure how good they are for photography.
Also, just east of Biarritz are "Les Barthes de l'Adour", along the North side of the Adour river. It's not a site itself, more a type of habitat : wet meadows on the side of the river.
It's probably quite interesting for birds and wildlife in general but I don't know what are the best locations to observe/photograph birds in les Barthes...
Even if you don't have any target species, this part of France holds a nice population of black-winged kite, which could be of interest to you, apparently they are pretty common in agricultural land.