The Aiguillon Bay National Nature Reserve
If there is one place on the coast of central-western France to see, it is the Baie de l'Aiguillon. As much for its diversity and density of species of water birds as for the multitude of places (and easy to access) for the observation of these birds.
The reserve is divided into two parts: that of the department of Vendée, managed by the National Office for Hunting and Wildlife (ONCFS) and that of the department of Charente-maritime, jointly kept by the League for the Protection of Oiseaux (LPO) and ONCFS.
This reserve is essentially composed of mud flats and salt meadows over an area of ​​4,900 hectares, which, with the management of these environments by these actors, allows the presence of very many living species (birds, plants, mollusks and insects). In particular, this site represents one of the most important stops for migratory birds in Europe. It therefore sports species that are very specific to wetlands and some are rare in France.
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Some sites on which I had the opportunity to observe:
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The Pointe de Saint-Clément - Esnandes: It is located opposite the Pointe de l'Aiguillon, on the Charente-maritime side (17). This advance in the bay allows fairly easy observation, at high tide (extremely important!), Of the majority of waders, terns, gulls and seagulls, only with binoculars even if the telescope is still necessary to observe groups of Barges or Avocets remaining at a distance.
 Dunlin - Becasseau variable |  Comn Ringed Plover - Grand gravelot |  Sanderling - Bécasseau sanderling |
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Bonus: going down the coast to the south, salt marshes and small ponds allow the reproduction of a magnificent species, the White Stilt. During my adventures, I came across a family last summer whose chick was hiding under one of its parents a few meters from the road! I stopped in the car very slowly, opened my window carefully and took my previously prepared camera. The magnificent spectacle of a chick discovering the parental pond unfolded before my eyes! Undoubtedly one of my most beautiful moments in bird watching. The photo of the crouching adult stilt (male I think) was revealed not long ago: the kind of greenish branch coming out of the plumage of the adult is in fact the legs of the chick hidden in the feathers of its parent !
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
In addition to this, you need to know more about it.
The port of Pavé - Charron (17): a port advance in the bay surrounded by salt meadows = great observation post for observing water birds! We therefore go up the bay a few kilometers to the northeast and it is a site of exceptional specific richness that awaits us. From the marsh owl, to the bluethroat, passing by the greylag curlew, it is the majority of species associated with these environments that can be approached at the port of Pavé.
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Anatidae are in particular well represented, after shorebirds. Brent geese fly over the advance during their wintering season. Shelducks lead their chicks from one end of the mudflats to the other, while Northern Pintails or Tufted Ducks sleep in flocks in the water.
 Eurasian Curlew - Courlis cendré |  Brent Goose - Bernache cravant |  Short-eared Owl - Hibou des marais |
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 Shelduck - Tadorne de Belon |  Reed Bunting - Bruant des roseaux |  Blackheaded Gull - Mouette rieuse |