Atlantic coast ornothology routes

[Bigtallfatbloke]

...Ok so say i wanted to ride from here to southern spain but hug the French atlantic coast on the way down then go down to perpignon and along the coast to Malaga. ...just an option for next year maybe...what is a good route along the french coast?.. I like the idea of the coast ...beaches...beer , bikes and birds...I'm an ornithologist on tour you see...so where are the best bird spotting opportunities along that coast?

..is it hilly along there...what kind of tits are we talking about..are they worth the pain?

 

[4F]

The coastal road in the Vendee north of Les Sables d'Olonne is a bloody death trap and horrible piece of road . Far too many cars in the summer for the size of road and parts of it are hugely over commercialised just like Clacton and Southend (Saint Jean de Monts being a classic example)

I would stay just inland if I were you through this part

 

[Anthony]

I just did a trip very similar to the one you're suggesting. I started in St Malo, went down the west coast of france then cut across the middle of Spain finishing in Gibraltar.

With regards to the West coast of France I can suggest what I did. Get the ferry from Royan to Le Verdon sur Mer, then you can cycle right next to the coast for around 100 miles to Arcachon on specially made bike paths. There are several camp sites and shops along the way, plus some good beaches too! Then there are some nice coastal-ish roads all the way down to Biarritz. As for hills there are none. The west coast is as flat as a pancake.

May I also suggest avoiding the coastal routes in spain. They are very touristy and crowded. I went over the central plateau and it was great. Great views, little traffic, and good roads. Be warned though it may be hotter, it is hilly and there aren't many campsites. But wild camping is very easy, and the locals don't care if you do it. If you take your time, have a siesta you shouldn't find it too hard.

 

[ASC1951]

I'm not a twitcher myself, but isn't there a narrow corridor somewhere where they sweep over from North Africa in huge numbers and then again over the Pyrenees?

 

[Tony]

Er.....don't use the T-word. Birdwatchers are people who like birds. Ornithologists are birdwatchers who take a deeper interest in them. Twitchers are list-ticking trainspotters.

Depending on where you are starting from.....
There is a big French reserve on the bay of the Somme, near Rue, at Marquenterre, well worth a visit. A lot further South, there is a reserve at Arcachon. You are in Les Landes there, mile after mile of pine forest that will drive you nuts.
On the Med side, by Perpignan, there are a number of lagoons absolutely stuffed with birds. You will getflamingo, stilt, be-eater, Kentish plover, masses of stuff. Taking the corniche from Argeles through Collioure and Banyuls takes you by way of some hills to Roses, and just South of there is a massive wetlands reserve called the Aiguemolls de Empuries. Purple Gallinule, whiskered tern, short-toed eagle, hoopoe, roller, much more.