French Alps in May (1 Viewer)

[Jynx]

I will be spending a week at Les Houches near Chamonix in May. I am having difficulty turning up any information about the area. I have a few targets in mind but do not even know if they are possible. The ones that immediately spring to mind are:

Lammergeier
Snowfinch
Wallcreeper
Alpine Accentor
Citril Finch
Rock Partridge
Nutcracker

I would appreciate any info on these or any other species possible at this time.
Many thanks in advance.

 

[June Atkinson]

Chamonix Alps

I will be spending a week at Les Houches near Chamonix in May. I am having difficulty turning up any information about the area. I have a few targets in mind but do not even know if they are possible. The ones that immediately spring to mind are:

Lammergeier
Snowfinch
Wallcreeper
Alpine Accentor
Citril Finch
Rock Partridge
Nutcracker

I would appreciate any info on these or any other species possible at this time.
Many thanks in advance.

Have a look at this site:
http://www.chamonet.com/all_about.php?id_articles_type=80

If you have time, contact the site Chamonet.com Connection supplied on site or the Chamonix Tourist Office (link in site).

I loved every minute of my visit to Chamonix. We went up to the Mer de Glace - very mucky-looking glacier! But on the way down we saw a marmot - my first sighting in the wild. :clap:

Have a great time!

 

[Ruby]

I've been there, but at the tail-end of a 1.5m snow-storm in December and any bird with any sense was tucked up warm somewhere!

I go to the higher reaches of the French Alps each April and normally see lots of Alpine Choughs and Nutcracker most years, plus Snow Finch and Alpine Accentor on a couple of occasions. There is normally still a fair bit of snow about when I go, which is unlikely to be the case in Les Houches in May I would have thought....


Ruby

 

[Jynx]

Thank You both.

 

[Gabriel]

Reposoir

The Reposoir valley south of Cluses should be quite close to Les Houches.
I took a day's break after a conference in Geneva recently and went up there. I saw Citril Finch and Lammergeier (as well as Chough and a few others) and I believe you can find Accentor as well. Possibly also Snowfinch, but I may be mistaking. Try the Col de la Colombiere and walk up on the North Western side of the road.

Gabriel

 

[Jynx]

Thank you Gabriel

 

[bittern]

For anybody planning to visit the area around the Col de la Colombière this summer keep a look out for Griffon Vultures. There are currently 30 or 40 in that area now. Also present the usual Lammergeiers, some Short-toed Eagles, Rock Thrushes, Alpine Accentors, Snow Finches, Citrils etc....

Mike