Bird Watching

I have always been fascinated by birds, their communications with each other are sometimes spell-binding, and the way they co-exist and protect each other from predators is truly admirable, the little nuances and traits they have, are undoubtedly individual, but also very obviously collective.

Whilst I have never actually become a ‘birder’ and am unlikely to ever know all of the names of the species in the region (or even in my garden) I do take delight in sitting on my terrace and watching the different species interact with the terrain, each other, and their next meal.

In the French Pyrenees region, there are so many species of birds that we are a little spoilt for choice, I could probably write a thousand words just on the birds of prey of the region (but I won’t) that I see from just my garden.

Any hike or even countryside stroll anywhere in the Pyrenees region will deliver the opportunity to see the unique wildlife on offer, but perhaps none is quite as fascinating as the vast species of birds (oiseaux in French, pronounced wazoo). From the tiny little finches to the enormous Griffon Vultures you can spot almost any species of bird you may wish to see, whether on a hike, or in your garden, or even special viewing stations in the case of the once endangered Vultures.

There are many specialized bird watching trails throughout the Occintanie region, from the wetlands South of Narbonne, or the wild scrubland hills of the Corbieres, all the way to the peaks of the Pyrenees, most all of which offer detailed maps and directions to the best spots. Have a look at this site for more information on specialized bird watching trails.

Sometimes you will happen upon some amazing birds quite by accident;  some years ago I was driving South from Limoux into the Pyrenees when out of the corner of my eye I spotted something I thought shouldn’t be there, I thought I had spotted a child dressed in an outrageous bird costume. Once I got home I looked it up and turns out I happened to see a Bearded Vulture stood ten meters from the side of the road just watching the World go by. The Bearded Vulture is a truly remarkable looking creature, though sadly one whose numbers have been declining at a rapid rate, but with funding from the EU the newly formed Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO) is setting about changing this. There are now dedicated teams of professionals and enthusiasts embarking to re-populate the region with these huge magnificent birds by providing feeding sites, which of course also act as viewing sites for those wanting to see vultures in the flesh.

So no matter what kind of bird watching takes your fancy you can do it all in the Aude;  from Flamingoes to Vultures, Finches to Swallows it’s all here, so grab your hiking boots and your binoculars and lets go birding!