Camargue in Winter

10th - 14th December 2009  

December is an excellent time to visit Southern France due to there being some excellent and rare wintering species. A chance to recharge birding batteries with this intensive short trip to take in one of the best areas for birdwatching on the Mediterranean Sea coast. The Camargue needs no real introduction as it has been visited by travelling naturalists for many years and is still extremely popular with it's mosaic of freshwater lagoons, reedbeds and rocky coastline.Although this is classed as a Carmargue holiday we will also be visiting several places just inland such as the incredibly scenic Alpilles, an area of vineyards and foothills of limestone crags. Here we will visit he mountain enclave of Les Baux with it's picturesque cliff top fort and historic village. This weekend has it all, including Ken Shaw an incredibly knowledgable guide and very good company as well.

Day 1 :- Arrive at Cote d’Azur Airport, Nice and immediately drive to Nice Botanic Gardens where we hope to see the now naturalised Indian Silverbill along with a range of common wintering species around the town which may include Sardinian Warbler, Black Redstart and Crag Martin. We then drive through Provence for a couple of hours to reach our hotel on the outskirts of Arles.

Day 2 & 3 :- Over these two days we will visit the steppe-like habitat of La Crau and it's nearby airfield to track down some of the target specialities of the area, notably Little Bustard that can form large flocks at this time of year plus Hen Harrier, Rock & Cirl Buntings, Crested Larks,  and an outside chance of Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. However the Camargue will be our main focus as we shall endeavour to find a range of wetland species and possibly rare wintering raptors, with two of our key target species being Greater Spotted Eagle and Long legged Buzzard. However this massive area can hold a wide range of other raptors possibly including Marsh & Hen Harriers, Common Buzzard, Merlin and Peregrine. This famous wetland also holds a superb array of wetland birds such as Black necked Grebes, Great White & Cattle Egrets, Common Crane, large numbers of wintering wildfowl, Penduline & Bearded Tits. We will also explore the saltpans at the mouth of the Rhone where among other waders - Avocet and Kentish Plover are usually present, Greater Flamingo are numerous, and Slender-billed Gulls are also a possibility.

Day 4 :- Today we make the drive into the Alpilles, an area of vineyards and foothills of limestone crags. Here we will visit he mountain enclave of Les Baux with historic fort and village. Apart from being visually impressive it is also known for its wintering Wallcreepers on the sheer rock-faces and Alpine Accentors within the picturesque cliff top village. Weather and time permitting we will make the short journey to La Caume a local site for Bonelli’s Eagle and other commoner woodland species. Finally we continue further inland to the ski-resort at the top of Mont Ventoux to look for Citril Finch along with Golden Eagle, Sparrowhawk. Red billed Chough, Fieldfare, Nuthatch, and Common Crossbill.

Day 5 :- We leave Arles early and head back to Nice via the spectacular Gorge du Verdon where more raptors are likely including Griffon Vulture plus Grey Wagtail and Black-bellied Dipper can be seen on the Verdon River. We will arrive back at Nice in the early afternoon to catch a flight back to the UK.

Special consideration

The weather in the area at this time of year can vary from spring like temperatures to bitterly cold if the Mistral is blowing. It is wise to come prepared with very warm clothing, the itinerary may vary to take account of prevailing conditions.

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