Bird Watching
I have been fascinated by birds for many years and I am lucky to be now living in an area rich in birdlife.
From Mille Fleurs itself I have recorded
66
species, ranging from Firecrest to Red Kite. The Firecrest I glimpse once a year, the Red Kite I see on a weekly basis. Nearby are the Pyrenees where I know of locations to see the rare Bearded Vulture, as well as Griffon and Egyptian vultures.
Even closer is the Lac de Puydarrieux, a bird reserve which hosts around 200 species across the year. 14 species of raptor have been recorded there including Osprey. There are Herons, Cormorants and Egrets, as well as over 20 species of ducks.
It is also becoming an increasingly important stopover for migrating cranes in the autumn and a small overwintering colony seems to be establishing itself there. In December 2007 just over 600 cranes were based there.
Mille Fleurs is an ideal location for a bird watching holiday. I am happy to accompany bird watchers or I can help with maps and advice for independent outings. Our normal B&B rates apply but I do make a small charge for excursions into the Pyrenees which includes a packed lunch.
Our nearest airports are Pau, which has a daily flight from Stanstead, and Toulouse, with flights from 6 UK airports including Gatwick. We are about 10 hours from Cherbourg and about 11 hours from Calais.