We birded The Dombes in France today. It is an area just north of Lyon consisting of hundreds of lakes and marshes, which are alternately drained and filled for agricultural purposes, making for a rich variety of wetlands throughout the year, but also making it difficult to know which ones to go to!
In the middle of all of this is the Parc des Oiseaux (Bird Park). We thought it was a nature preserve. It was a zoo — not only figuratively in number of people there, but also literally!
However, the habitat attracts native birds as well, so we decided to take advantage of the photo ops. I tried to take photos only of native birds taking advantage of the zoo’s hospitality — but I am not sure in all cases.
We then visited some of the nearby lakes and found Spoonbills, Lapwings, stilts, and Ruddy Shelducks, as well as our only nuthatch for the trip.
We then drove back to Switzerland, where we plan to try for Wallcreeper and Lammergier tomorrow! Our most-desired birds for the trip.
Tune in tomorrow for the results…
Trip list is 87 with 68 lifers.
Here are some photos.
Wood Pigeon, The Dombes, France, June 25, 2016
Eurasian Spoonbills, Black-winged Stilts, Lapwings, Black-headed Gull, The Dombes, France, June 25, 2016
Shelduck, The Dombes, France, June 25, 2016
Pochard, The Dombes, France, June 25, 2016
Eurasian Nuthatch, The Dombes, France, June 25, 2016
Moorhen (Gallinule?), The Dombes, France, June 25, 2016
Lapwings, The Dombes, France, June 25, 2016
Gray Heron, The Dombes, France, June 25, 2016
Great Cormorant, The Dombes, France, June 25, 2016
Black-headed Gull, The Dombes, France, June 25, 2016