Greater FlamingoesNight HeronCamargue Wild Horses55Outline itineraryDay 1Fly Montpellier, transferArles.Day 2/4Daily programme ofbirding walks andexcursions in theCamargue region.Day 5Drive Montpellier; flyLondon.Accommodation A charming, family-run hotel (withprivate facilities) serving excellentlocal food.Food All included in the price.GradingGrade A. Easy birdwatching walksonly.Focus Birds and other wildlife.LeaderIan Nicholson or James Lees.Single room supplement£95.Web quick search: FRA19Book direct on 01962 733051or see page 280 for Booking InformationThe Camargue in SpringA 5-day holiday focusing on the wetlands and Rhône Delta of the Camargue and featuring the best of the birdlife of southern France in spring.Wednesday 9th May - Sunday 13th May Cost: £795The Camargue, in Provençe, isundoubtedly France's - and, indeed,one of Europe's - best knownwetlands. Lying to the south of the historicRoman town of Arles in central southernFrance, at the very heart of the vast RhôneDelta, it covers about 750 squarekilometres and provides a veritable oasisfor a great many resident and migratorybirds, in an area otherwise acclaimed forits sunny Mediterranean beaches, ancientRoman ruins and fine Provençal cuisine. We begin our holiday with a flight toMontpellier, a modern airport to the west ofthe Camargue. The final approach to therunway typically passes over the Etang deMauguio where flamingoes are numerousand may be seen from the plane as weland! Our base for the next four nights is asmall and pleasing family-run hotel on theoutskirts of Arles, conveniently located justa short drive away from the Camargue,and for the next few days we will explorethis legendary region of white horses andfighting black bulls. The Greater Flamingois probably the best known denizen of thisarea, and we will spend time exploring thesaline habitats of La Digue and the Etangdu Fangassier where nearly 15,000 pairs offlamingoes breed alongside Avocets,Black-winged Stilts, Kentish Plovers,Caspian Terns, Slender-billed andMediterranean Gulls and, in the scrub, theelusive Spectacled Warbler. In peacefullagoons and backwaters small numbers ofRed-crested Pochard can be seen, whilstthe extensive reedbeds, dykes and shallows of the Camargue support manyherons and egrets, including Bittern andPurple Heron, Little Egret, Little Bittern,Squacco and Night Heron. Whiskered,Black and Gull-billed Terns feed along theditches, while the surrounding grazingpastures and vineyards are ideal areas inwhich to see European Bee-eaters,European Rollers and Hoopoes. The ricefields in and around the Camargue are yetanother of the region's rich habitats,beloved of herons, egrets, waders andterns, and where it is also possible to seeFrance's only breeding population ofCollared Pratincole. Raptors are anotherhighlight of the region, a healthypopulation and variety attracted by theabundance of prey. Marsh Harriers andBlack Kites drift continuously over thedelta, Hobbies dash madly afterdragonflies and hirundines, whilst a Short-toed, Booted or perhaps even an elusiveBonelli's Eagle may occasionally be seen.We will visit La Capelière, a well-managedvisitor centre where it is possible to followa walking trail into the reedbeds in searchof such breeding birds as Great Reed,Moustached, Fan-tailed and Cetti'sWarblers and also, perhaps, bothPenduline and Bearded Tits. On thewestern side of the reserve, near thevillage of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, is theParc Ornithologique. Originally a birdhospital caring for the many birds injuredas a result of illegal shooting, it nowsupports not only those birds that have notrecovered fully enough to be returned tothe wild, but also their offspring.Additionally, many wild birds are attractedto the site, for example the wild WhiteStorks that breed on top of the aviaryhousing injured storks! To the east of thevillage are brackish dykes and saltpans which attract Slender-billed Gulls and a good range of waders. Other habitats are also within easy strikingdistance; for example, the dry stonysteppe known as La Crau which coverssome 50,000 hectares. This arid habitat,which in ancient times was actually thedelta of the River Durance, has beenextensively irrigated and supports suchcrops as melons and the famous Crau haywhich is used to feed race-horses. Thesurviving areas of original habitat supportgood numbers of Little Bustard - rareelsewhere in France - and the country'sonly population of Pin-tailed Sandgrouse.Other noteworthy residents includeMontagu's Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, StoneCurlew, Short-toed and Crested Larks,Tawny Pipit and Dartford Warbler. North-east of Arles lie Les Alpilles, a rangeof limestone hills - an extension of theLuberon range - rising to 387 metres andcovered with aromatic herbs and scatteredpines. The spectacular cliff-top fortress ofLes Baux attracts many raptors and, duringa whole day in the region, we will searchfor such specialities as Egyptian Vulture,Bonelli's and Short-toed Eagles, EurasianEagle Owl, Alpine Swift, Woodlark, BlueRock Thrush, Sardinian and SubalpineWarblers, and Short-toed Treecreeper.This area of France is especially rich inwildlife, history and local culture and, onthis short holiday, we hope to enjoy aflavour of this diversity with an easy-paceditinerary that includes some qualitybirdwatching, good photographicopportunities, a visit to the Romanamphitheatre in Arles and ample time each day to enjoy our famous NaturetrekFrench picnic lunches!SPAINITALYSWITZERLANDGERMANYBELGIUMPARISCAMARGUEARLESTOULOUSEMONTPELLIERBORDEAUXFRENCHALPSSTRASBOURGENGLISH CHANNELATLANTIC OCEANMEDITERRANEANSEAFRANCE

The Cévennes is a spectacularmountainous area on the south-eastern edge of the Massif Central. Delightfully unspoilt, its wonderful variety ofscenery and habitats provide a specialcombination for the naturalist and walker.From our base for this holiday - a smalland friendly hotel in the attractive littlevillage of Cocurès, close to theadministrative centre of the CévennesNational Park - we will make full use of theregion's excellent trails as we search for thewealth of plants, birds and butterflies to befound here; the delicious meals served atour hotel and our famous French picniclunches will ensure that no one lacks for energy! The Cévennes' variety of habitats withinsuch a relatively small area is trulyexceptional. The granite and schist peaksof Mont Lozère (1,699 metres), MontAigoual (1,567 metres) and Mont Bougés(1,362 metres) have a quite different florafrom the surrounding limestone areas, andpine and deciduous forests, hedgerows,limestone plateaux, flower-filled meadows,deep gorges and fast-flowing rivers providefurther contrasts. To the west lies the vastlimestone plateau of the Causses, withtypical karst scenery of dramatic canyons,weathered peaks and caves. We will visit allthese habitats, many of them protectedwithin the Cévennes National Park thatcovers the central part of the range. Furtherdiversity, created by the variety of climate,aspect, rainfall, soil and altitude, providesan extremely rich flora, especially orchids.Insects are abundant, and a good variety ofbutterflies are to be found, together withmany birds, particularly raptors. All in all,there is no doubt that this is one of thefinest regions of France for the naturalist,whatever one's interests, and we willexplore it as best we can on walksthroughout the area.In the heart of the region lies the Cornichedes Cévennes, a 50-kilometre ridge with aroad along it that gives wide views over thenational park and the Causses. Along theridge the vegetation changes as thelimestone gives way to schist, but the oldesttraces of life, about 180 million years old,are the dinosaur footprints near St. Laurent.Walking here we should find many orchids- including Green-winged, Elder-flowered,Monkey, Military and Lady Orchids, plustheir various hybrids - and such birds asGolden, Booted and Short-toed Eagles,Black Kite, Buzzard, Alpine Swift and RockBunting. We will also explore the Gorge du Tarn, tothe west. Here the river has carved thisdeep gorge through the limestone,revealing many fossils and providingnesting ledges for Peregrine, Chough, CragMartin and Blue Rock Thrush. Along theriver Dippers and Grey Wagtails feed;above fly butterflies - Swallowtails, ScarceSwallowtails, Cleopatras, GreenHairstreaks, Adonis Blues and fritillaries.Typical mountain plants may be found heresuch as Rock Soapwort and rockroses,whilst a little to the north in the pinewoodswe will find several wintergreens, togetherwith such orchids as Bird's Nest Orchid,and both Sword-leaved andWhiteHelleborines. Birds in these woods includeCrested Tit, Firecrest and woodpeckers,and Red Squirrel and Pine Marten areoccasionally sighted.Mont Lozère is the highest point of theregion and a road takes us over its flanksvia the Col de Finiels. The underlying rockshere change to provide us with both analkaline and an acid flora, including manyorchids, narcissi, bilberry, violas,potentillas, pulsatillas, rampions and avens.The area is favoured by birds of prey, andthese may include Merlin, and Montagu'sand Hen Harriers. Rock Sparrow, RockBunting, Water Pipit, Alpine Accentor andRing Ouzel may also be seen here, plusGoshawk, Sparrowhawk, tits, finches andwarblers in the woods below.On more than one occasion we will traversethe Causse Méjean with its wide openlandscape and the extraordinary karstformations at Nîmes-le-Vieux. Waysideflowers include Pyrenean Broom, manyvetches, Yellow Flax, the local subspeciesof Alpine Aster, Grass-leaved Ox-eye Daisy,Maiden Pink, the saucer-sized seed headsof Acanthus-leaved Carline Thistle, whichare traditionally pinned to the doors ofhouses, and Burnt-tip, Fly and SpiderOrchids. Here we will also search for StoneCurlew, harriers, Short-toed Eagle, shrikes,Quail, Rock Sparrow, Tawny Pipit and suchwarblers as Orphean and Melodious. In the Gorges de la Jonte we will be able toenjoy more birds of prey, including Griffonand Black Vultures - both the result ofsuccessful reintroduction programmes. Thegranite and schist outcrop of Mont Aigoualis reached by road, through beech,chestnut, and then pine woodland. Inspring, Poet's Narcissi form white sheets,tulips provide yellow patches, and theverges support a range of orchids. Justbelow the summit is a 'Sentier desBotanistes' which we will walk, enjoyingdramatic views across the Aigoual Massif.The summit area is being actively managedto encourage Apollo butterflies to thrive; itis also a great place for Egyptian Vulture,amongst other raptors. Further to the south,we will visit the Gorges de la Dourbie onthe edge of the Causse Noir. Above thegorge the Causse supports breeding LittleBustards and Stone Curlew; to the souththe open terrain also holds Hoopoe,Ortolan Bunting, Orphean Warbler, andRed-backed and Great Grey Shrikes. Plantsinclude Fly Honeysuckle, Amelanchier andOphrysorchids, and the cultivated fieldssport such attractive 'weeds' asPheasant's-eye Poppies and Cornflowers.This is not an area where any naturalistmay become bored!France - The CévennesAn 8-day holiday - in search of plants, birds and butterflies - in the south-eastern corner of the Massif Central.Thursday 10th May - Thursday 17th May Cost: £1,195Outline itineraryDay 1Fly Montpellier anddrive to Cocurès. Day 2/7Walking natural historyexcursions in theCévennes. Day 8Fly London.AccommodationA pleasant and traditional villagehotel, with private facilities, servingfine local food.FoodAll included in the price.GradingDay walks only. Grade A. FocusPlants, birds and butterflies.LeadersJohn Willsher (ornithologist) andJenny Willsher (botanist).Single room supplement£160.Web quick search: FRA1256Call now or visit www.naturetrek.co.uk for your free Trip ItinerarySPAINITALYSWITZERLANDGERMANYBELGIUMPARISTOULOUSEBORDEAUXFRENCHALPSSTRASBOURGENGLISH CHANNELATLANTIC OCEANMEDITERRANEANSEAFRANCECÉVENNESCOCURÈSMONTPELLIERGorge du TarnCocurès Monkey Orchid