Throughout the year, the best of Anjou wildlife can be
seen in these specially selected birdwatching spots.
Maine-et-Loire
Birds List (French/English, PDF 188 kb) • latest data
(French)
some ringing
data • Where
to sleep?
and don't forget to enter your
bird records in our local database!
(some species have to be submitted to our local rare birds
committee
see rare
birds committee)
for more info: anjou
at lpo.fr and saumur
at lpo.fr
click on the map numbers
some other
maps | Maine-et-Loire Google map
1. "lac de Maine": a nature reserve in
Angers & Bouchemaine (map
1, map
2, Google map)
One of the most attractive lakes in Anjou, a
stone's throw from the centre of the town yet surrounded
by meadows and woodland, there is a great diversity of
wildlife here. Thousands of different birds can be seen: Grebes, Herons & Egrets, Great Cormorants, Gulls (huge winter
roost), Terns and Ducks, Stock Pigeons and so on.
Best in the evening, all year round. return
to the map
click to enlarge
picture by Alain
Fossé
This vast area of floodplain meadowlands offers
an attractive stopover for thousands of migratory ducks and waders. In May and June the keen
birdwatcher can hear the Corncrake Crex crex, as this is its main breeding ground
in France (+ Blue-headed Wagtails Motacilla fl. flava, Whinchats Saxicola rubetra, Corn Miliaria
calandra and Reed Buntings Emberiza
schoeniclus). It is also possible to meet farmers who
are involved in agro-environmental farming.
Best in Spring. return to the
map
picture by Louis-Marie
Préau
3. "lac de Rillé"
This is one of the most interesting inland lakes
in Mid-West France. The "lac de Rillé"
extends over 250 hectares, making it a wonderful
habitat for a diversity of wildlife.
Best in Autumn and Winter. return
to the map
4. The beautiful Loire
river (maps)
click to enlarge
picture by Alain
Fossé
5. A forest of tree
tappers
The "forêt domaniale de Chandelais", one
of the most beautiful forests in Anjou with its
100-year-old trees, is particularly noted for its
woodpeckers: the Black Dryocopus martius, the Great Spotted Dendrocopos major, the Middle Spotted Dendrocopos medius and the Lesser
Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor can
all be found here. A naturalist guide can accompany you
to help spot them along with other animals, such as newts,
badgers and roe deer.
Best in the morning in March and April. return to the map
click to enlarge
picture by Alain
Fossé
6. The last refuge of the Little
Bustard Tetrax tetrax (see
this page in French)
The LPO and the farmers of "la Champagne de
Méron" are working together to save this
increasingly rare bird. As you walk through the fields
and fallows you can hear the males calling, and also Stone Curlews Burhinus oedicnemus, Quails Coturnix coturnix, Grey
Partridges Perdix perdix and Wheatears Oenanthe oenanthe. There is a
ringing and colour-marking (wing tags) project for the Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus here. The Dark Green Snake Coluber viridiflavus is
also common, but difficult to spot.
Best in the morning or late evening, in Spring. return to the map
click to enlarge
picture by Alain
Fossé
7. A taste of the South of France in
Anjou
In the exceptional surroundings of the Royal
Abbey of Fontevraud, a naturalist can show you the most
northern colony of Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia (coloured rings project, best
in June), usually only found in the South of France.
Close by, the heaths of the military camp of Fontevraud are frequented by Melodious Warblers Hippolais polyglotta, Red-backed
Shrikes Lanius collurio, Tawny
Pipits Anthus campestris, harriers Circus sp. Keep an eye on the sky
to spot any passing Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus. The chalky soil of Champigny
is home to rare spiders and a large variety of orchids,
as well as two species of cicadas. The Saumur "Jardin des
plantes" can host Scops Owl Otus scops too. return to the
map
click to enlarge
picture by Alain
Fossé
8. The "Loire de Lumière" boat
(see this
page)
What better way to see hundreds of birds
(Cormorants, Herons & Egrets, Gulls, Waders, Ospreys, etc.) at close
quarters than in this flat-bottomed boat? Accompanied by
an experienced ornithologist, you will enjoy an
unforgettable boat trip in an area designated a World
Heritage site by UNESCO. return
to the map
click to enlarge
picture by Alain
Fossé
What else?
There is an abundance of other wildlife and
flora in these areas: orchids, field wildflowers, butterflies, rare dragonflies, Mediterranean spiders, as well
as such mammals as bats and even Beavers Castor fiber along the Loire river.
click to enlarge
picture by Alain
Fossé
Guided visits?
Personalized, guided, discovery tours of the
best of the birds and other Anjou wildlife can be
organized throughout the year. Contact LPO
Anjou.
When to come?
There is always something to see, but early
March to September is best.
Where to
sleep?
 "Gîtes
Panda"  (label due to noteworthy natural environment, house close
by hiking trail, management respectful of its
environment, loan of binoculars, guides & maps)
"Chambres d'hôtes" (B&B)
• Mrs. & Mr. LE FOULGOCQ, Le Logis
du Pressoir, 49250 BRION,
tel./fax: +33 241 572 733,
e-mail: lepressoir
at wanadoo.fr, web page: Gîtes
et Chambres
NEUILLÉ
• Mrs. CALOT, Château du Goupillon,
49680 NEUILLÉ,
tel./fax: +33 241 525 189
"Gîte rural"
Refuges
LPO
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