This spring, while we are in the region (Narbonne), we were thinking about trying to see flamingos at Peyriac-de-Mer. This seems like a really unique opportunity (not a lot of flamingos in Kentucky!) and I was curious if anyone else has been. While I recognize wild flamingos means WILD -- and not on a viewing schedule -- is spring (late April/early May) a good time to attempt such a excursion? Any feedback on this idea would be welcome, including suggested hikes, nearby services, etc.
Posted by
361 posts
I love to watch birds or any other kind of wild life. The storks are amazing in France and Spain. I can not answer your question about flamingos and a birding website might be the best place to ask for help. In general birds fly out at dawn and in at dusk and those are the best times for viewing. Also the light is better for photos at those times. One of the major optics sites may have links to birding websites, Zeiss or Swarovski. Please post back when your done and let us know how the bird viewing went. J
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
4322 posts
go to Ebird website, go to "Hotspots" and put in "Peyriac-de-Mer, France" and see if it comes up.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13946 posts
While I’ve not been there, I have seen Flamingos at Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau and in the agricultural fields in the area south of Arles in the Camargue. I was there in October 2019 and was told many don’t migrate any longer but are year round residents. It was a guide not a birder who told me this so not 100% sure. My guess would be your time in April/May would be good.
The birds were plentiful in the park but also easily seen in the rice fields and ditches in the whole area.
I concur with the suggestion for eBird. I have the app on my phone but also use it online and the online website is easier for a search like this. If you can’t figure it out let me know via PM. I’m in Italy right now but will be back home later in the month and can happily do some searching for you.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2546 posts
I have visited the Parc Ornithologique, on numerous occasions actually. It is a bird lovers paradise. However, the flamingoes are not always present but there are reliably scores of them on the shallow ponds between Aigues Mortes and le Grau du Roi which are wonderful places to visit.
Flamingoes are very shy creatures and it is very difficult to get very close to them.
Posted by
OP
766 posts
Thanks for the suggestions. The "Hotspot" information on the Ebird website is indeed a great resource, and I was not aware of it. Based on what I'm reading on there, and assuming the weather is decent, I think we'll give this a shot and see what happens. Even if we don't see flamingos it still looks like a great nook to explore outside Narbonne.