Birdwatching

Congenies is an ideal base for watching birds, positioned as it is on the western edge of the Camargue and only an hour away from the Cevennes National Park. Our own patch, just a step outside the front door, is also full of bird life. We have something for everyone at all times of the year.

Francis & I have been birders since childhood, both of us having come from families that were never far from a pair of 'bins'. Living in the Welsh and Scottish country sides, respectively, we both developed a love for the outdoor world and in particular the birds that we found there.

Six years ago, having moved to this beautiful area between the Cevennes mountains and the Camargue, we rediscovered the excitement of discovering new birds and new habitats, and for the last few years we have enjoyed sharing this information and showing those who come to join us where and what we have seen. Please ask if you would like to join a birding trip or would like to book Francis for a guided visit to the Camargue or surrounding areas.

In the garden we see:- Black Redstarts, Short-toed Treecreepers, Great Tits, Blackcaps, Siskins, Goldfinches, Hoopoes, Nightingales, Tawny owl, Scops owl, Golden Oriole, Storks (see photo), Flying over we have had Honey Buzzards, Short-toed Eagles, to name just a few!

This little chap spent the day with us too!

The Vaunage valley and the valley of the Vidourle river are our local home patch, walked everyday by Francis and Lobo. Here the local crops of asparagus and millet are interspersed with vine yards, olive groves and fruit trees. A network of farmers' roads cross the area making access easy and undisturbed. Crossing this winds the river. The whole area is bordered by limestone scrub covered, hills called 'Garrigue'. This combination gives many habitat types and therefore many birds. Commonly seen are:- Woodchat, Red-backed & Great southern shrikes (occasionally seen are Lesser Grey & Isabelline), Montegues harrier, Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Merlin, Hobby, Sparrow Hawk, Common Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, Long legged Buzzard, Red-legged Partridge, Sardinian, Fan-tailed, Melodious, Orphean, Dartford, Spectacled & Grasshopper warblers, Corn, Cirl, Rock & Ortolan Buntings, Wood, Short toed & Crested Larks, Blackcaps, Little & Cattle Egrets, Bee-eaters, Golden Orioles and Rollers. A flock of Rosefinches and a Red-footed falcon have also been seen.

Roller Photographed by Tom Dove 26.4.07

This Short-toed Eagle with a snake in it's mouth was photographed here on the Vaunage by Spek 27.5.05.

We are still working on the ID of this one!

Latest suggestion is a Yellow Crowned Bishop- but the one in the picture is the size of a Starling!

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