Birds of Marais Poitevin and Ile de Ré / December 2022
Summary of our bird sightings during these 3 day trips in the Marais Poitevin and on the Ile de Ré.
1st day: Meeting with the group at 10 a.m. in the city center of La Rochelle. Some have already had the opportunity to stroll through the streets of this magnificent city! We leave without delay on the first routes of the Marais Poitevin, on the Baie de l'Aiguillon side. The water levels are very low this year and the meadows are rather dry, which limits the concentrations of birds (geese, waders). We go to a first favorable spot for Short-eared Owls but nothing in sight. We note all the same a little diversity with the first waders: Least Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Black-bellied Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Common Snipe and even 3 Jack Snipes. Unfortunately, they stay quite far away and we do not like the idea of chasing them as we want to avoid disturbing them. The temperatures are quite low these days and the birds need to keep their strength up! Diurnal birds of prey are also present. First of all, an Eurasian Sparrowhawk will pass not far from the car at ground level, then a few Eurasian Marsh-Harriers on the plains, 1 adult female Hen Harrier, 1 Red Kite which surprises us... then 1 Eurasian Hobby, nice surprise! It lands in a plowed field and we have time to observe it in the telescope. We continue to explore favorable areas for owls but nothing for now.
We raise our heads, an Eurasian Spoonbill flies over us! Near a hedge, a few Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits are feeding on the ground. On the way back from a walk along a hedge, suddenly Stéphane calls us, he spotted a shape in the tree, a Long-eared Owl! In the end, they were 6 individuals, a small dormitory. We take the time to take some photos and videos.
Photo Thibaut Rivière
I then decide to take the group to a better known dormitory and it's magical, at least 8 owls are visible, some groom themselves, others emit brief vocalizations... a great moment!
Photo Thibaut Rivière
There is about 1 hour of daylight left, we decide to end the day with the observation of a couple of Black-winged Kites in the bocage area, this little raptor has so much style. This first birding excursion in the Marais Poitevin has been rich in encounters.
2nd day: Early departure to be at sunrise in areas favorable to Short-eared Owls! We land on a clear viewpoint to do a quick scan of the large expanses of salt meadows, favorable hunting areas for the species. Nothing except a few Eurasian Marsh-Harriers on the hunt. By scanning the trees, we spot a clear shape, and here is a first Short-eared Owl!
Photo Thibaut Rivière
We will then see it in flight over the meadows before it lands on the ground, in the vegetation just like two other ones seen further away. The observations are a bit frustrating but that's how it is! The tide is falling, the birds of the Bay are moving away little by little. We then decide to get closer to try some pictures of shorebirds, avocets and curlews but the birds are too far away. We take the road to Pointe de l'Aiguillon, a beautiful area of dunes and a strategic point for bird migration. But before arriving, a short stop is planned to try to see the Little Owl. We carefully scrutinize the place, a few Red Partridges are present and we hear the cries of cranes, more than 775 Common Cranes are present in the surrounding crops.
Photo Thibaut Rivière
It was when we started to leave that a guest, Alex, spotted an Owl in a tree taking its sunbath! Great observation.
Photo Thibaut Rivière
During the picnic, a few calls challenge us, 3 Crested Larks are feeding on the ground. Further on, a Dartford Warbler is heard, we try some photos but the light is very strong at the beginning of the afternoon.
Photo Thibaut Rivière
Photo Thibaut Rivière
The beach offers some great opportunities with shorebirds, including 1 not very shy Dunlin.
The tide is already rising. We return to the car park and suddenly a very pale bird of prey arrives above the vegetation, an adult male Pallid Harrier! Incredible, we can't believe it. This is the first time that our guests see this bird. At this time it should be returned to its wintering quarters in Africa.
Photo Thibaut Rivière
Photo Thibaut Rivière
Photo Thibaut Rivière
We return to this morning's spot to have the shorebirds at rising tide with the beautiful lights and what an atmosphere! The colors, the proximity of the birds, the diversity... pure happiness for everyone, the memory cards are filling up!
Photo Thibaut Rivière
Photo Thibaut Rivière
Photo Thibaut Rivière
The mist arrives and drowns the area in silence before nightfall.
Photo Thibaut Rivière
Photo Thibaut Rivière
Photo Thibaut Rivière
A good night's sleep on this in order to think back to all these highlights of this beautiful day!
3rd day: The day is devoted to the discovery of the Ile de Ré. Unlike other years, we are primarily targeting the Phare des Baleines, an interesting spot for wintering coastal birds. We scan the tip of the island with the telescope, different species of Gulls are present which allows us to work on the criteria to differentiate them. A great diversity of waders is also present with at sea 1 Horned Grebe, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers and 1 Great Northern Loon! These infrequent species add to the list which is already substantial in three days...
We will take the time on the road to take some pretty pictures of European Goldfinches feeding on their favorite plant.
Photo Thibaut Rivière
We have a little time left to walk quietly in the Lilleau des Niges reserve, we observe beautiful groups of Brant, shelducks, shorebirds... and suddenly I spot a mimetic bird on the side of the path, perfectly camouflaged, a Jack Snipe! It remains crouched on the ground which allows us to take some pictures through the vegetation. A difficult photo session but it will remain one of the most beautiful moments of the trip.
Photo Thibaut Rivière
In total, we were able to observe/hear 105 species of birds, a real success!
Thank you all for your participation and your good mood, see you soon for new adventures!
Thibaut
Guide Salva Fauna
