The Pyrenees

This range of mountains forms a spectacular natural barrier between France and Spain. Their alpine meadows, full of spring flowers, and their snow-covered peaks provide a stunning setting. We look for birds, butterflies and other wildlife while driving and walking in this unique landscape. Driving through France we break our journey for two nights at La Brenne, giving us time to explore this contrasting area on our way to and from the south.

Birds of the Pyrenees

The target birds of this area, notably Lammergeier, Wallcreeper, Alpine Accentor and Rock Thrush sadly do not appear to order. While we visit habitats giving the optimum chances of sightings we will also enjoy the spectacular scenery and the wide variety of butterflies and flowers that the area has to offer at this time of year.

Outline Programme

This will be adapted according to the weather, but we shall follow this general pattern:

Day 1	We catch an early morning ferry from Dover, then drive to La Brenne, arriving in the late afternoon.
Day 2	Exploring local lakes we discover just how important this area is for breeding birds, especially Black-necked Grebe and Whiskered Tern. The region is also noted for orchids and butterflies, including the rare Dryad. Hopefully, Tony Williams, a local wildlife expert, will be available to take us to whatever is of particular interest in La Brenne at this time.
Day 3	We set out for Luz St Sauveur, via Toulouse and Lourdes, stopping at a picnic spot for lunch. Arrive late afternoon. Stay for 5 nights.
Days 4-7	All the locations we want to visit are within a short drive from Luz. The exact programme will depend on the weather and the cloud base. During our four full days in the Pyrenees we will visit the renowned Cirque de Gavarnie, the Cirque de Troumouse, the Oussoe valley and the Port d'Espagne. From the latter we enjoy a 10 km walk back down to the village of Gavarnie.
Day 8	Sadly we leave the Pyrenees, but look forward to our return to La Brenne. We arrive again in Mezieres en Brenne by late afternoon.
Day 9	Our second full day among the lakes of La Brenne, giving us the chance catch up on the species we may have missed on our journey south.
Day 10	We drive to Calais for an afternoon sailing, and arrive in Dover in the early evening.

Irises above the clouds		Relaxing...		Morning excursion...