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The Cotentin Peninsula
This region on the coast of western
Normandy has Cherbourg at its tip,
the famous D-Day landing beaches to
the south-east and Le Mont St Michel
the south-west. In the autumn migrants are
heading south for the winter from the UK
and Scandinavia, while the extensive mudflats
in the Baie du Mont St Michel attract migrants from
the east.
Cap de la Hague
This headland on the north-west corner of the
peninsula gives opportunities for sea watching,
while areas of gorse and farmland along the coast
provide a refuge for resting migrant songbirds.
Gatteville lighthouse
On the rocky north-eastern tip of the peninsula, the
lighthouse provides an excellent point from which
to view passing Gannets, Shearwaters and a variety
of Gulls, along with the occasional Skua. Migrant
songbirds can be found among the bushes and
fields of this area. Just south of here is the small
town of St Vaast-la-Hougue where the Saire estuary
provides shallower waters for waders.
Outline Programme
This will be adapted according to the weather, but
we shall follow this general pattern:
| Day 1 | We take the early morning ferry from
Portsmouth and arrive at Cherbourg around noon.
We check in at our hotel and explore the immediate
area.
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| Day 2 | We will explore the western coast, driving
south to Carolles and the Baie du Mont St Michel.
This area allows us to scan the sea, cliffs and
shoreline, as well as heathland and pastures while
looking out for flocks of migrating passerines.
Peregrine and Merlin are always a possibility.
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| Day 3 | Today we will follow the coastline east of
Cherbourg, including the marshes at Rethoville, sea-
watch from the lighthouse at Gatteville and explore
the area around St Vaast de la Hougue. We then
follow the coast south towards historic Utah beach
and marshland reserves.
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| Day 4 | We set out towards Cherbourg via the Cap
de La Hague. This rocky coastline has fast currents
but is a good place to look for migrant seabirds,
including Divers, Gannets and Terns. Our high-speed
ferry leaves at around 5.30 in the evening, with
arrival at Portsmouth at about 7.30pm local time.
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| Gatteville lighthouse |
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A wet and windy day! |
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Wigeon |
Prices and details
| Cost | £495 per person |
| Deposit | £80 |
| Single Supplement | £80 |
Included Travel from Portsmouth, accommodation, breakfast, dinner.
Excluded Lunches, travel insurance, drinks personal items.
Group size Maximum 8
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| Female Wheatear |
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| Mont St-Michel |
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| Gadwell |
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| Lapwing |
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| 5-Spot Burnet |
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