Vercors - A secret corner of France in spring.
May 30 - June 6, 2010 - SOLD OUT
$2,095 plus airfare

* Please see price note below

Between Grenoble and Valence, the Vercors is an area of mountainous limestone cut by deep gorges and topped by a plateau rising to over 7,500 feet. The cliff scenery is dramatic. It is an area little-known outside France, that we 'discovered' a few years ago, and our first full week's tour there last year proved that the area can provide a superb week of wildlife in its own right.

Scenic and accessible, this jumble of limestone mountains provides a rich range of flowers, birds, mammals and butterflies, all adding their own magic to a stunningly beautiful part of France. And then, of course, you add in excellent wine and food (but not necessarily in that order!), and you know this is another typically good Travelling Naturalist destination.

The high tops here have a good range of mountain birds, including Alpine Chough, Golden Eagle and Citril Finch. Below the plateau, the forests show a decidedly Central and Eastern European influence, with Hazel Grouse and Tengmalm's Owl amongst the beeches and firs, and even the odd breeding Fieldfare. Other owls include the very local Pygmy Owl, and Eagle Owl on some of the cliffs.

The mammals here are also fascinating, with Chamois and Mouflon quite widespread, while Alpine Ibex are the subject of a reintroduction scheme. We also visit a colony of Alpine Marmot close to where Alpine Choughs nest in a cave.

On one day after an early evening meal, we will go out to search for owls among the high coniferous forests. We don't always see them but there are often bonuses as a 'roding' Woodcock croaks and squeaks its way across a dusk sky, or perhaps we glimpse Badger or Wild Boar in our vehicle headlights as we return to the hotel.

During the day we search for the special wildlife of the region. On our previous trips we have seen birds as varied as Wallcreepers and Dippers, Goldcrests and Griffon Vultures; the latter being part of a re-introduction scheme. The flora is superb with alpine meadows full of yellows, blues and pinks. Orchids are abundant and may include Lady's-slipper Orchid, though this does depend on the timing of the season. Last year we saw twenty-nine species! How fabulous it is to stroll through areas so full of flowers that it might take an hour to progress a couple of hundred yards.

Mature broad-leaved woodlands give us the possibility of seeing Black Woodpecker and Goshawk, while several roads cross spectacular passes from where we may see Golden Eagles and other raptors.

If the frequent mention of 'Alpine' makes you nervous, don't worry. This is always a gently paced tour with the vehicle taking the strain of reaching higher locations; and once you have visited the Vercors, if you are anything like our leader, you will want to return time and again.

Our co-leader, Bruno Veillet, is an excellent naturalist who lives in the area, and takes a particular interest in the owls.

Check out our detailed itinerary.

Camargue & Pyrenees - The best of France in Autumn
Fall 2010 
$TBA plus airfare
* Please see price note below

Starting with the famous Camargue, with its pink flamingos, white horses and black fighting bulls, and finishing with the grandeur of the High Pyrenees, we visit some of France's very best areas for birds and wildlife in autumn.

The freshwater marshes of the Camargue and the surrounding meadows remain one of Europe's most exciting birdwatching areas. The array of herons is quite outstanding: Grey and Purple Herons and both Little and Cattle Egrets are common, with smaller numbers of Squacco and Night Herons, and Great White Egret a recent colonist. Raptors are always present in the skies here - usually Marsh Harrier, with a few late-staying Black Kite, together with Short-toed Eagle here and there, and Hobby chasing the abundance of dragonflies. Migrant Osprey are also passing through at this time.

The shallow pools, mudflats and water meadows also boast a good variety of waders, including Black-winged Stilt and Avocet, together with passage migrants including Curlew Sandpiper. There is also the chance of a more unusual migrant, like the Red-necked Phalarope that we have seen here in the past. Whiskered Tern can still be found hawking over the freshwater pools and rice paddies, while Slender-billed Gull and Caspian Tern can also usually be found nearer the coast.

Reedbeds form another excellent habitat, with Cetti's and Fan-tailed Warblers. But perhaps it is the sight of the intense pink and red of the thousands of Greater Flamingos against the green of the reedbeds and the deep blue of the sky that will remain the most indelible memory of these wonderful wetlands.

The unique boulder-strewn steppe of the Crau is a superb habitat for birds. France's only Pin-tailed Sandgrouse are here, and are most active in the early mornings and late evenings. The other specialities, Little Bustard and Stone Curlew are also best seen at these times. Other possibilities here include Montagu's Harrier and Egyptian Vulture, and possibly the odd late Roller or flock of Bee-eaters.

To the north of the area the limestone hills of the Alpilles with the spectacular hilltop fortress of Les Baux can produce a good variety of raptors including Bonelli's Eagle, as well as rock-dwelling birds like Blue Rock Thrush, Alpine Swift and Crag Martin. We have also seen Eagle Owl in this area in the past. Near to our hotel, the fabled Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard is spectacular in its own right, but has the added attraction to birdwatchers of its colonies of Crag Martin and Rock Sparrow.

After four nights here we travel across the south of France to the High Pyrenees. Amidst some of Europe's most inspiring scenery can be found a selection of really choice mountain birds. Lammergeier patrol the cliff-faces effortlessly, along with Griffon Vulture and Golden Eagle, and both Red-billed and Alpine Chough. The pines hold Citril Finch and Crossbill, while high on the scree slopes we can see Alpine Accentor, Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, and flocks of Snow Finch. One of the attractions of this area is the accessibility of the high mountains by road - both Snow Finch and Alpine Accentor can sometimes be seen in some of the car parks and there is an outside chance of a Wallcreeper on one of the rock faces.

To a southbound migrant, these sheer walls of rock present formidable obstacles. The sight of flocks of raptors gaining height in the thermals amidst the foothills before attempting the crossing is most impressive. These can include Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Short-toed Eagle, Marsh and Montagu's Harrier, together with Peregrine and Buzzard.

Higher up, migrants often become grounded in the valleys, and "falls" of migrants here can rival anything witnessed at an island bird observatory! Even if the weather is good, the high passes can still provide a steady stream of migrants, including Wryneck, Common and Black Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Pied Flycatcher and many warblers. Mammals include the delightful Alpine Marmot and Isard, the Pyrenean Chamois.

The slopes are also good for Naked Ladies (by which we mean Autumn Crocus of course!) and other lovely autumn flowers including Merendera, a Pyrenean endemic, while butterflies can still be found in good numbers.

From our base we can choose to drive up many of the passes and to the magnificent Cirques, or corries. The most famous of these, at Gavarnie, is one of the great mountain sights of Europe and not to be missed, but there are many other less busy areas that are equally stunning. Some of the lower valleys can also be worth visiting for several species, but given fine weather our aim will be to visit the higher areas whenever possible.

Check out our detailed itinerary.

* Please note price is based on the pound sterling as of TBA and can fluctuate depending on the value of the U.S. Dollar to the pound sterling. The final price will be based on the exchange rate in effect at final billing, 90 days prior to departure.