May Mediterranean birdwatching weekend
Narbonnaise regional park

Part two - North

Tour code: BLKM3-19

Transfer from airport to accommodation

Welcome drinks & dinner

Evening outing to try and spot Eagle owl

Coastal lagoons and

the Aude river plain

We start today with a couple of spots around the Pissevaches lagoon for opportunities to see Flamingo, Cattle egret, Purple heron, Black-winged stilt, Red-crested pochard, Slender-billed gull, Little gull and various terns, waders and reed-based passerines 

resting on migration.

We have a good chance of seeing the Lesser kestrels as we picnic in Fleury d'Aude.

On the banks of the River Aude, and in the (sometimes flooded) meadows and vineyards we should find Hoopoe, Bee-eater, Woodchat shrike and hopefully Roller if they are back.

A little bit further inland, flood plain and steppe habitat can provide sightings of Little bustard, Great spotted cuckoo, Woodchat shrike and just possibly the very rare Lesser grey shrike. 

Narbonnaise marshes, former salt pans and reedbeds

After a peek at the White stork nest and the Grey heron at the heronry and hopefully Purple heron on the nest, we will then move on, if the prevailing north westerly wind is blowing, to follow the spring migration on the edge of the Ayrolle lagoon where we can watch migratory birds as they skim the low over the water. Birds to spot include: Montagu’s harrier, Bee-eater, White and Black stork and occasional rarities such as Pallid harrier.

If the wind is not favourable, we can have a look around the Ile St Martin to spot Hoopoe, Orphean warbler, Black-eared wheatear, Dartford warbler and Sardinian warbler and explore the Gruissan salt-pans for waders and shorebirds. 

We may end the day with a change of habitat at the Rec d'Argent, looking for Blue rock thrush, Crested tit, Rock sparrow and possibly even roosting 

Eagle owl...

Departure after breakfast

Birdwatching and sightseeing on our way back to the

airport for departure.