France - Wallcreepers & the Camargue

The enigmatic Wallcreeper, with its stunning crimson wings and beautiful butterfly-like flight, falls into the ‘must see’ category for many birdwatchers and naturalists. During this exciting holiday we will go in search of this iconic species while also enjoying the wildlife of the nearby Camargue wetlands, some spectacular Roman architecture, wonderful scenery and the region’s excellent Provençal cuisine. The Camargue is located in the Provence region of southeastern France and is one of Europe’s most important wetlands. It encompasses approximately 750 square kilometres of saline and freshwater wetlands, riverine forest, reedbeds and pasture and lies at the very heart of the vast Rhône Delta, south of the ancient town of Arles. It acts as a magnet for a great many resident and migratory bird species, and is also home to the famous white ‘Camargue horses’, an ancient breed of horse indigenous to the region. Our ‘Camargue in Spring’ tour has proved very popular over the years, but this legendary wetland has much to offer in the winter too. Our base is within easy striking distance of the Alpilles Mountains and the Camargue itself, and during our time here we will visit a mix of contrasting sites and habitats, breaking each day with a delicious picnic lunch to maximise our time in the field.

We will begin with a short flight to either Marseille or Montpellier, from where we will transfer to our hotel just outside the historic city of Arles. Here we will be based for four nights whilst we enjoy the region’s wildlife and our charming hosts’ fine hospitality. The impressive French commune of Les Baux-de-Provence is only a short drive from our hotel. This beautiful village, set within the Alpilles Mountains, stands on a rocky limestone massif and is topped with the ruins of a 10th-century castle. As well as being a breathtaking village in its own right, this is the wintering realm of the Wallcreeper and we will scan the walls of the houses, cliff faces and boulders for the telltale crimson wing-flick of this enigmatic species. As well as Wallcreeper, our time exploring the village may yield Alpine Accentor, Serin, Black Redstart and Blue Rock Thrush, with Golden and Bonelli’s Eagles possible overhead and the surrounding woodlands holding Crested Tit, Firecrest and Shorttoed Treecreeper.

Our exploration of the Camargue will focus on the 130 square kilometre ‘Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue’ nature reserve that protects the Étang de Vaccarès and the saltpans south towards the sea. During our time here we will make use of the various viewing platforms that dot the area, as well as visiting the reserve at Marais de Vigueirat. The platforms on the banks of the étangs (lakes) offer excellent views both into the brackish marshes on the water’s edge, and into the adjacent shallows where the flocks of waders, waterfowl and Greater Flamingoes feed. The extensive marshes, wet grasslands and woodlands of the Marais de Vigueirat are home to a wealth of birdlife and we will also make a special effort to find the resident herd of famous Camargue horses, which are free to roam over most of the reserve. As we explore the area we will stop at a variety of sites to take short walks and scan over the lagoons and wetlands. Highlights may include large numbers of wintering Common Cranes, flocks of Glossy Ibises and Greater Flamingoes, plus waders and wildfowl whirling over the marshes as Hen Harrier and Merlin hunt overhead. Black and White Storks are also often to be found here and the lagoons may hold Slender-billed Gulls alongside large numbers of Avocets and Little Stints. Black-necked Grebes gather on the open water, whilst Zitting Cisticolas and Sardinian Warblers occupy the surrounding dry scrub and in the reedbeds we will look for Bearded and Penduline Tits.

Another highlight of our tour will be our visit to the spectacular Pont du Gard. This ancient Roman aqueduct, the highest of all elevated aqueducts and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is generally regarded as one of the most remarkable feats of Roman engineering. We will enjoy, and photograph, this amazing structure but must not forget to scan its imposing walls for wintering Wallcreepers! Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstart or a flock of Rock Sparrows are also possible.

Finally, should you wish to extend this varied and exciting short break, we would recommend additional time in Arles to further explore and enjoy its quaint streets, Roman monuments and impressive amphitheatre. Please call the Naturetrek office for further details.