News, Trip Reports & Articles
Le Teich Bird Reserve & the Bassin d'Arcachon
Location of Le Teich click here
Le Teich galleries
Le Teich, a major nature reserve on the Bassin d’Arcachon, about 50kms south-west of Bordeaux, is one of the largest and best reserves open to the public in France. Similar in many ways to the Marquenterre, well-known to many ‘Channel’ birders, it is perhaps better, with approximately 80 species breeding on the reserve and 260+ recorded there. The Bassin d'Arcachon itself has some good coastal sites, the Domaine de Certes is one of the best, also the beach at Arcachon provides good winter sea-watching over oyster-beds. The coast south of Arcachon, the huge Dune du Pilat and beyond, has less interest until one gets to the Etang de Cazaux, a large inland lake.
LE TEICH BIRD RESERVE
A trail leads from the visitor centre to the coast and back, 5kms, taking in no less than twenty hides and four observational viewpoints – a full day out giving close views of the birds. It takes in brackish and fresh-water, reedbeds and woodland. For those with youngsters it's excellent; near the entrance there is a short trail, 2kms, (part of the longer trail) with three hides and two observation points - they’ll be amazed at the close views of nesting White Storks.
Each hide has a number and a name corresponding to the bird most representative of the location at a given time of year. The best hides for the high tide wader roost are nos. 10 to 13 - the ones furthest from the entrance.
The trail map in the book by J. Crozier is now out of date (see reference sources).
The centre itself has a nice shop and restaurant. You get a map with the entrance fee, tide times are displayed there, as are the results of the latest monthly bird count. For the high-tide wader roost, a mid-afternoon high-tide is ideal. The reserve is open 365 days of the year, and there is ample parking. For times and prices check the website. The reserve is never open before 10.00 a.m. and check the closing time when visiting - they close exactly on time. Closing times vary from 6.00p.m. winter to 8.00 p.m. summer. No dogs are allowed.
Black-tailed Godwits on La Vasiere des Spatules
BASSIN D’ARCACHON
The Domaine de Certes, Audenge, 6kms north of Le Teich, is a protected area of saltpans with a good coastal trail. The pans are old and virtually all fresh-water now, but some are shallow enough for waders, terns, gulls, egrets and wildfowl, with good viewing over the saltmarsh and mudflats of the bay. The 14.5 kms long trail/cycle track starts in Audenge and is sign-posted. As ever in France, the protected status refers to the land only; there is much hunting here in season
Immediately south of the Domaine de Certes is the Domaine de Graveyron - similar but smaller at 9.3 kms, and also protected. Not much there in September 2009, but conveniently accessed from the Port d'Audenge. This is supposed to be a no-hunting zone, but isn't!
Back nearer to Le Teich, in September 2009 we looked at another protected area, Le Delta de la Leyre (full circuit c9kms). Accessed from the main D650 road, where there is a visitor centre the Relais Nature and parking (sign-posted), or from the Le Teich reserve carpark, near the bridge over the river, this too is meant to be a no-hunting zone but isn't....However, despite there being a couple of bunkers and a decoy pond in one area, the habitat is good, with reedbeds and coastal grazing pasture, and some very nice riverine woodland towards the Relais Nature end
Two good booklets covering the areas above are available from the Relais Nature visitor centre
The port area of Gujan-Mestras, the Ports Ostreicoles, is good for gulls and waders, and for breeding Tree Sparrows at the Port du Canal. It was around the Port de Larros that the biggest invasion of white-winged gulls ever to hit France occurred in Autumn 2008 after south-westerly storms. This area is famed for the oysters which you can buy fresh here, or eat in one of several restaurants
In September 2007 and December 2008 we also visited the large inland lake to the south, Etang de Cazaux, via the coastal road D218 south of Arcachon, and also Ares, on the north side of the bay, for the small wader roost there. The nature reserve here is best approached via footpaths off the main road D106, between Ares and Cap Ferret
Apart from the town beach at Arcachon, the Port de Peche offers good gull and wader-watching from two hours before high-tide. Although the coast south of Arcachon and 'the Dune' has less interest, strong westerlies can bring in passage seabirds like Leach's Storm-petrels, if you're prepared to be sand-blasted!
Greenshanks on Les Vasieres des Spatules in December
ACCOMMODATION
We have used two campsites, one at Gujan-Mestras, between Arcachon and Le Teich, and one at Le Teich; both are sign-posted on the main coastal road D650. A hotel at Biganos is handy in winter, and another recently opened one is only five minutes drive from the reserve.
Camping Municipal Le Verdalle
Avenue de la Plage
33470 GUJAN-MESTRAS
Tel. 0556 661262
No website
Camping Ker Helen
Avenue de la Cote d'Argent
33470 LE TEICH
Tel. 0556 660379
www.kerhelen.com
Hôtel du Delta
Hélène CAMBOU
25, bis avenue de la côte d'Argent
33380 BIGANOS
Tél. 05 56 82 62 84
www.hoteldudelta.com
Hôtel All Suites Home Le Teich
7, Rue Copernic
33470 LE TEICH
weblink
Snipe on the reserve in March
REFERENCE SOURCES
A Birdwatching Guide to France South of the Loire, J. Crozier, Arlequin Press, published 2000.
Le Teich official website, including monthly bird counts
www.parc-ornithologique-du-teich.com
LPO Aquitaine
www.faune-aquitaine.org
Domaine de Certes trail, Audenge
www.conservatoire-du-littoral.fr
Redshank on La Lagune Claude Quancard
BIRDS RECORDED
159 species recorded over trips made in March, April, September and December, from 2007 onwards. 28 wader and 9 gull species recorded to date. Being beside a shallow tidal bay, high-tide counts on the reserve vary greatly with the tidal coefficient
I know of no 'official' Le Teich birdlist; the monthly bird-count is on the Le Teich reserve website
The list here should give observers an idea of what can be seen at various times of year
Observations - notes
Res = Le Teich reserve
Audenge = Domaine de Certes-Graveyron-Le Delta area
Arcachon = Town beaches and jetties, Port de Peche
Gujan-Mestras = Ports Ostreicoles
Species with no data entered are commonly seen residents/migrants in the area
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Etang de Cazaux 2 adults 27/4/07, 26/12/08, Arcachon 1 imm 26/12/08
BLACK-NECKED GREBE Arcachon 4 26/12/08, 1 2/12/09
LITTLE GREBE
GREAT CRESTED GREBE
LEACH'S STORM-PETREL Plage de la lagune 138 south 30/11/09 in 1.5 hours
GANNET Frequent along coast south of Arcachon in winter
CORMORANT Res breeding colony
NIGHT HERON Res present throughout the year, max. 6 25/12/08
CATTLE EGRET Res present throughout the year, max. c30 2/12/09
LITTLE EGRET Common, a few pairs nest on reserve
GREAT WHITE EGRET Fairly common except mid-summer
GREY HERON Res breeding colony
WHITE STORK Res breeding colony, some present throughout the year
White Stork, one of many on the reserve
SPOONBILL Seen throughout the year. Res max. 63 11/9/07
MUTE SWAN
(BLACK SWAN) Audenge 2 27/4/07
GREYLAG GOOSE Ferals joined by wild birds on migration
(CANADA GOOSE) Res 1-4 seen all months
BRENT GOOSE (nominate B. bernicla) Common on Bassin in winter; at southern limit of wintering range
COMMON SHELDUCK
WIGEON Res 4 16/3/08, 1 11/3/10, Arcachon 5 26/12/08, 1 10/9/09
GADWALL Res 1 26/4/07, 1 10/9/07, 3 17/3/09, 4 (2 pairs) 11/3/10, 3+ 8/9/10
TEAL Common winter visitor, Res max. 500+ 11/3/10
MALLARD
PINTAIL Fairly common in winter, Arcachon max. 110 10/3/10
GARGANEY Res 2 17/3/08, 1 18/3/09, Audenge 8+ 19/3/09, 1 8/9/09
Male Garganey on La Vasiere des Spatules
SHOVELER Fairly common in winter, Res max. 100+ 11/3/10
POCHARD Res 5 26/4/07, 2 25/12/08, 2 1/12/09
COMMON SCOTER Arcachon 3 26/12/08
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Arcachon 6 26/12/08
HONEY BUZZARD Res 1 male 7/9/09, 1 9/9/09, 1 10/9/09, Audenge 1 juv 10/9/10
BLACK KITE Common breeding visitor
SHORT-TOED EAGLE Audenge 2 27/4/07, Res 8/9/10
MARSH HARRIER Fairly common all months, Audenge a pair displaying 12/3/10
HEN HARRIER Audenge 1 female 12/3/10
MONTAGU'S HARRIER Res 1 juv 8/9/10
SPARROWHAWK Res 1 26/9/07, 1 11/3/10, Audenge 1 9/9/09, c2 11/9/09
BUZZARD Fairly scarce - usually single birds sighted
OSPREY 1 Audenge 11/9/09, 1 Res etc 8-10/9/10
KESTREL Fairly scarce - usually single birds sighted
HOBBY Audenge 1 11/9/09
PHEASANT Audenge 2 19/3/09, 3 9/9/10
WATER RAIL Res max. 8+ 11/3/10, Audenge 8+ 12/3/10
MOORHEN
COOT
COMMON CRANE Res 26 in flight 1/12/09
OYSTERCATCHER Arcachon c8 27/4/07, 10+ 26/12/08
BLACK-WINGED STILT Res 1 male 8-10/9/09, 1 juv 8/9/10
Black-winged Stilt male, Le Grand Large
AVOCET Res common in winter, max. c120 25/12/08, c110 11/3/10
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Res 2 26/4/07, 1 8/9/09, 1 8/9/10
RINGED PLOVER Res max. 400+ 11/9/07
KENTISH PLOVER Res 2 juvs 11/9/07, Arcachon 1 ad male 2/12/09, Gujan-Mestras 1 ad-winter
GOLDEN PLOVER Res 1 adult 11/9/07
GREY PLOVER Res 14 11/9/07, c20 25/12/08, 20+ 1/12/09, c20 1/12/09, 10+ 8/9/10
LAPWING Res fairly common in winter. Audenge 6 (3 pairs?) 12/3/10
KNOT Common throughout, Res max. 50+ 11/9/07
SANDERLING Common on coast, sometimes on reserve
TURNSTONE Res max. 6+ 11/9/07, small numbers along coast
LITTLE STINT Fairly common passage migrant, Res max. 20 11/9/07, 15+ 12/3/10; Arcachon 19 2/12/09
CURLEW SANDPIPER Res max. c50 11/9/07 and 8/9/10; can be common on passage
PURPLE SANDPIPER Arcachon 2 2/12/09
DUNLIN Res max. c500 11/9/07
RUFF Res 5 11/9/07, 1 juv 8/9/09, Audenge 3 19/3/09,
SNIPE Res/Audenge fairly common
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Res common winter/passage migrant
Black-tailed Godwit juvenile moulting, Les Vasieres des Spatules
BAR-TAILED GODWIT Fairly common on coast, sometimes on reserve; Ares max. 100+ 11/9/07
WHIMBREL Res 1 ad 10/9/09, 8/9/10; Ares c300 27/4/07, Arcachon 2 10/9/07
CURLEW Res max. 30+ 16/3/08, Audenge c20 19/3/09, 32 12/3/10, Arcachon 50+ 10/3/10
SPOTTED REDSHANK Res max. c40 8/9/10
REDSHANK Fairly common throughout
GREENSHANK Fairly common throughout, Res max. c50 8/9/10
GREEN SANDPIPER Res 5+ 11/9/07, 1 25/12/08, 2 17/3/09, 1 8/9/09, 1 11/3/10, Audenge 2 12/3/10
WOOD SANDPIPER Res c4 8/9/09
Wood Sandpiper on La Lagune Claude Quancard
COMMON SANDPIPER Fairly common Res/Gujan-Mestras, Res max. 10+ 11/9/07
LITTLE GULL Res 2 26/4/07, Plage de la lagune c35 south, 30/11/09, 2 12/3/10
BLACK-HEADED GULL Common, Res max. 500+ 11/9/07
COMMON GULL Fairly common in winter, Arcachon/Gujan-Mestras
RING-BILLED GULL Gujan-Mestras 1 19/3/09, 1 10/3/10, Arcachon 1 30/11/09, 2/12/09, 2 10/3/10; all adults
MEDITERRANEAN GULL Arcachon max. 25+ 10/3/10; mostly adults
HERRING GULL Common on coast, occasional on reserve
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Common on reserve/Gujan-Mestras, Res max. 150+ 26/4/07
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Fairly common Arcachon/Gujan-Mestras, occasional on reserve
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Fairly common throughout
SANDWICH TERN Common winter/passage on coast, occasional on reserve
COMMON TERN 1 ad Gujan-Mestras 9/9/10, 4 Audenge 10/9/10
LITTLE TERN Res 2+ 8/9/09
WHISKERED TERN Res 4 26/4/07
FERAL PIGEON
WOOD PIGEON
COLLARED DOVE
CUCKOO Res 2-3 26/4/07
SWIFT
KINGFISHER Common Res/Audenge/Gujan-Mestras, Res max. 10+ 11/9/07, 8/9/09
Kingfisher male on the reserve
HOOPOE Res max. 3+ 26/4/07
WRYNECK Res 1 26/4/07, 1 7/9/10
GREEN WOODPECKER
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER
LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Res 1 11/9/07, Audenge 2 29/9/10, Audenge 2(1 juv) 10/9/10
WOODLARK Audenge 4 12/3/10
SKYLARK Audenge 3 12/3/10
SAND MARTIN Res 1 17/3/09, 2 18/3/09, Audenge 2 12/3/10, 10+ Res 8/9/10, Audenge 1 10/9/10
SWALLOW Audenge early arrivals 20+ 12/3/10
HOUSE MARTIN Fairly common breeder
TREE PIPIT Res 1 10/9/09, Cap Ferret 1 20/3/09
MEADOW PIPIT Res max. 15 25/12/08
WATER PIPIT Arcachon 2 10/3/10, Audenge 3 12/3/10
BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL Common passage migrant, Res max. 15 18/3/09, Gujan-Mestras c20 9/9/10
GREY WAGTAIL Res 1 18/3/09, 1 11/3/10
WHITE WAGTAIL
PIED WAGTAIL Audenge 1 male 19/3/09, 1 fem. 12/3/10
WREN
DUNNOCK
ROBIN
NIGHTINGALE
BLUETHROAT Res c4 27/4/07, 2+ 17/3/08, 6 18/3/09, Audenge 3+ 26-27/4/07
Bluethroat male on territory, the reserve
BLACK REDSTART
COMMON REDSTART Res 1 male 26/4/07, 3 Audenge/Gujan-Mestras 9/9/10, 1 Audenge 10/9/10
WHINCHAT Common passage migrant, Audenge max. c20 9/9/09
STONECHAT Audenge max. 8 10/9/10
WHEATEAR Common passage migrant, max. 11 Audenge, c20 Gujan-Mestras 9/9/10
REDWING Res c10 12/08, 1 18/3/09, c25 1/12/09, c5 11/3/10
BLACKBIRD
SONG THRUSH
CETTI’S WARBLER
ZITTING CISTICOLA
REED WARBLER
MELODIOUS WARBLER
WHITETHROAT
GARDEN WARBLER Res 1 on berries 11/9/09
BLACKCAP
CHIFFCHAFF Res passage 25+ 8/9/09, 30+ 11/3/10, Audenge 30+ 12/3/10
WILLOW WARBLER Res passage 20+ 8/9/10, Audenge 25+, Gujan-Mestras 15+ 9/9/10, Audenge 30+ 10/9/10
GOLDCREST Res c5 25/12/08
FIRECREST
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Fairly scarce
PIED FLYCATCHER Common passage migrant, Res 5+ 8/9/09, 7+ 8/9/10; Audenge 6 10/9/10
LONG-TAILED TIT
BLUE TIT
GREAT TIT
NUTHATCH
SHORT-TOED TREECREEPER
JAY
MAGPIE
JACKDAW Res 2 8/9/90
CARRION CROW
STARLING
HOUSE SPARROW
TREE SPARROW Res 11 17/3/09, 8 18/3/09. Gujan-Mestras 10+ 20/3/09, 5 2/12/09, 3 12/3/10
CHAFFINCH
SERIN
BULLFINCH Res 3 25/12/08, Audenge 1 heard 12/3/10
GREENFINCH
GOLDFINCH
SISKIN Res 30+ 17/3/09, 20+ 18/3/09, 2 8/9/09, 3 11/3/10
LINNET
HAWFINCH Res 2 17/3/09
CIRL BUNTING Audenge 1 male 11/3/10
REED BUNTING Audenge 5+ 19/3/09, 1+ 12/3/10, Gujan-Mestras 1 2/12/09
SNOW BUNTING Arcachon 1 male 2/12/09
Snow Bunting male at the Port de Peche, Arcachon
(PINTAIL x MALLARD hybrid, male type, Res 11/3/10)
(SULPHUR-CRESTED COCKATOO Audenge 1 male 19/3/09)
OTHER WILDLIFE OBSERVATIONS
BANDED DEMOISELLE - 3 Le Delta 9/2009
WILLOW EMERALD DAMSELFLY - 1 fem Res 9/2009, 1 fem Audenge 9/2010
COMMON WINTER DAMSELFLY - 1 Res 3/2008, 1 fem Le Delta 9/2009
BLUE-TAILED DAMSELFLY - Common
MIGRANT HAWKER - Common
SOUTHERN HAWKER - Scarce 9/2009
BRILLIANT EMERALD - 1 male Res 9/2009
RUDDY DARTER - 1 male Le Delta 9/2009
RED-VEINED DARTER - 1 male Res 9/2009
COMMON DARTER - c3 Res 9/2009
Mature male Brilliant Emerald, here on the southern edge of lowland European range
WASP SPIDER - Fairly common
SWALLOWTAIL, SCARCE SWALLOWTAIL, SMALL WHITE, CLOUDED YELLOW, BRIMSTONE, SOUTHERN WHITE ADMIRAL, PAINTED LADY, RED ADMIRAL, GREAT BANDED GREYLING, MEADOW BROWN, GATEKEEPER, SPECKLED WOOD, SMALL COPPER, HOLLY BLUE, BROWN ARGUS, COMMON BLUE
DAUBENTON'S BAT - 1 Reserve 17/3/09
RED SQUIRREL - Fairly common on reserve
HEDGEHOG - 1 campsite 9/2009
COYPU - Common throughout
FOX - 1 male Reserve 9/2009
WILD BOAR - 1 Le Delta 9/2009
EUROPEAN POND TERRAPIN - Reserve in summer
WALL LIZARD - Common throughout summer
GREEN LIZARD - Common on Reserve in summer; mostly sub-adults seen